Re: EBT engines restoration schedule *LINK*

Steve,
Please allow me to answer your question. Since the EBT RR is privately owned, it is NOT eligible for grants towards repairing the locomotives (such as the million dollar grant that C&TS received a few years ago). We all would like to see more locos operating, but where does the money come from? My own guess is that it would take $300K to $500K to bring any of these inactive locos back to operation. The owner recently laid out (rumored) $500K to rebuild #15 two years ago, he's got to sell a lot of train tickets to recoup that major expense. #14 is in excellent operating condition but needs to be torn apart for the FRA-mandated boiler inspection, which might cost perhaps $100K. Meanwhile FEBT is doing an outstanding job (volunteer labor on a limited budget) restoring and repairing other critical needs such as the historic maintenance shop buildings, rolling stock, trackage, etc. etc. We all need to be thankful that the Kovalchick family has continued to pour their money into a money-losing operation. Please come out and visit the EBT this summer and we will show you around!