John,
You didn't start anything, Fred just took exception to my post and that's his perogative. This is a free discussion. Steve is also right in that the man at the top has not announced 'no GLRR equipment will ever run on the C&TS'. I merely repeated what several GLRR employees stated to me what was obviously their own personal, emotional views on the subject.
Fred, reread my post. It refers more to the conditions of use than any current or past C&TS employee's actions. #15 does not get daily use, #19 does and she is asked to do a lot each day. IF the GLRR was in the same situation #15 may not look all spic and span either.
Bottom line here is that Mark Greska may have to do whatever is necessary to pay the bills after Oct 3 and perhaps leasing the equipment to other operations may be a neccessity after all, and then again maybe not. Whatever happens will ultimately be his decision.
It just gets me that sometimes it seems like a bunch of vultures are circling the GLRR waiting for it to stop moving. This person sees an opportunity to get his/her favorite loco restored, another one wants to get his/her hands on the GLRR equipment for their own endeavours. I realize everyone means well, but it bothers me nonetheless.
PUHLEASE, don't lose sight of the fact that the GLRR is close to the final act. Get up there and pay homage to a great operation. You WILL NOT be disappointed. And after you are done there get on down to the C&TS and see what the folks down there have done to bring their RR back from the brink. 484 and 487 look and sound great thanks to a lot of hard work by the shop crews, some of whom are now operating crews (and damn good at it) during the operating season.
