For a pretty good answer to that question, all they have to do is turn the clock back 20 years or so.
All that is different today without the GLRR is that there is track.
One of the principle reasons the project was successful at all over the years is that the GLRR was a very successful operator. They ran for years with no profit, acquired additional equipment, ran more years without profit, and eventually got to breakeven or just above, which is probably all they have ever expected. I doubt the Railroad has made much (if any) money when you take in all the negative years at the beginning.
Profit in dollars was never a motivation for the GLR. Not losing their shirts was.
It's damned expensive to keep an operation like this going, and the GLRR is to be commended for all the work that they have put into the success of the whole project over the years. I'm still holding out for someone to come to their senses at the last minute and get a deal done. If they fail to do that and have to start over with a new operator and no usable equipment on the property, it will be years before it can get back to what it is now. And you can take that to the bank, because there won't be anyone making any money at all. Not for a very long time. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool, and don't bother asking me for any money.
Mike Trent (former GLRR Volunteer)