First off, you won't need any protective gear to read this post.
I've done a lot of thinking the last week or so and I want to say to Mr Torrico and the rest of Railstar that I hold no ill will to you. My contempt was and always will be with your " business partner" CHS. They are the asses I mentioned in another thread, their leadership is the source of the S.O.B.( Standard Operational B******T) of which I spoke before as well.
I've been in the business of Steam passenger service for 20 years. If its a stand alone company you and you alone are responsible for your failures or successes. The Loop , however isnt a stand alone operation. I have put up with CHS and their little games; maybe not as long as some of my former loopers but I was there long enough to know they love mind games. They have made promices that they expect you to make happen, but they dont seem to see that there is a littel matter of funding , a nastly little word that seems to get in the way of a lot of stuff, to contend with. You cant do squat with out it and if they are running that place the way their RFP stated, its nothign short of a miracle that the funds exsist at all to run the Loop. My hats off you you guys for manageing to make it work inspite of CHS's nonsencicle business Maximus.
If CHS doesn't come through with their end of the deal than Railstar cant be expected to fulfill theirs since its not "their " equiptment not their funding that is supposed to make it all operational before months end. If the 12 and the 9 dont run, IF the 1203 isnt ready for lack of funding than I am banking on CHS pointing fingers at everyone but themselves; its jsut how they work, they are teflon coated so there is no point in flinging anything their way, least of all balame or accountability. AS I was told on many occasions while trying to fight their removal of the old operator " CHS simply doesnt care".
If nothign happens Memorial Day than it is CHS and their lack of responsible management, financial or otherwise, that will be the reason its doesnt happen this year. Railstar, jsut liek GLR Inc before is, has been bent over by their partner.You all are doing the best you can with what they give you.
I know in the past I have vented my displeasure in all directions, but in the end its not your fault. And no, nobody put me up to this. It was unfair of me to lump the current loop company in there , it was guilt by association and I am not beyond fessting up to my errors in judgement.
nuff said.
K.S. Wilcomb
GB&L RyCO.
Engineer, Ret.