First, I don't know enough about Railstar to be critical - or supportive of them. If I sound like I am derriding their capabilities, I apologize - that is not my intention.
Rolling stock is not and never really has been the problem. The problem has always been what will pull it. Did Railstar and / or the CHS buy the Idaho Prarie #12? It is still listed as available at Barnhadt (see below) although that doesn't necessarily mean much. Are they still planning on running #9? Are they planning on running #30/74? How 'bout #60? Maybe #111? Are they going to go ahead with all of the above and see which one is ready first? Do they have the multi-cubic dollars necessary to take that approach? Or have they found something we don't know about?
Thing is it's easy to say "there will be a steam train" but at this point it would appear that #12 is their best, perhaps only, bet. If that is the case, will it be a token steamer with diesels (assuming any can be found) doing the majority of the work? What if they can't find any diesels, what if #12 is left holding down the fort by itself? There is no way that one lone engine can haul 100,000+ passengers. Railstar themselves have suggested they won't be able to operate (exclusively?) steam powered trains for a couple of years which, to their credit, seems to be a very realistic evaluation of the situation.
Unless Railstar or the CHS bought #12 neither entity owns an operable steam engine. No question, a hell of a lot of work can be done in the 7 1/2 months between now and showtime but they had
better have a plan. Last I heard the lead time for flues was around 6 months.
There is no reason for them to spell out a detailed business plan - given the ongoing situation between certain websites and the C&TS / Friends they'd be absolutely nuts to do so. But as it is their claim has no credibility.
"[T]he operation will be running steam engines when Railstar welcomes tourists in May."
As Yoda might say: Believe it I will when see it I do.
And if they want to double dog dare me to come out next May, I'll be there. But right now no one has given me any reason to believe that
I won't be the one saying "I (we) told you so".
Don
