Hi,
I have stayed out of these discussions for a long time because it is kicking a dead horse.
In fact, I have not read the article that spurred this thread.
First, Let me thank Skip Luke and the entire GTL Inc group for allowing me to experience a class operation on the loop. My first ride was the week before the Devil's Gate Bridge was opened to traffic (1984 I believe).
Railstar seems to be a good operation. I made a comment about one video clip about the overflow tube on the injector of #9. I had a back channel discussion with a fellow over at Railstar. He took offense at my comment. He felt I was degrading the crews. I thought it was great because I'd done the very same thing on 7.5” locos. From what I have read, Railstar is trying to be a class act. I wish them well. I would love to see the #12 and the #9 running in person.
I believe that the CHS drove off the GTL,Inc due to a clash of personalities or an ego trip by Behrens & Co.
In my own opinion, I take the position, “If it ain't broke, don't fix it.” The CHS did try to fix something that was not broke. The monies wasted by the CHS on this fiasco is a sad statement about politics. These monies could have been better used to keep a class act in Georgetown and keep a class team there.
These monies that the CHS threw around could have been better used to help the C&TS or the Friends of 315 or the Friends of 169, or the rebuilding C&S #9 without causing a problem with advertising and reservations and the unemployment of the workers and the throwing around of large sums of money for little or no benefit. Just to reinvent the wheel. This sort apparent disreguard for tourist operations by a governmet group who is supposed to protect history is unbelievable. The changes to the interior of the Silver Plume depot seems to help bring this out.
I would be interested in where the GTL,Inc alumni are now and what operations they may be working at. Any one know?
Doug vV
