To all,
It's really very unfortunate that we can't just let this thing go. It is very clearly documented that the CHS is the one and only party that has screwed anything up at the Loop. I met the Uhlich's years ago. I can't remember anything noteworthy about their character but the one employee of their's that I met just before meeting them said that if I was interested in building a live steam locomotive, that Marlin would probably do whatever he could to help. When someone else speaks that way about someone when they're not present says a lot about a person.
We don't live in a perfert world and it seems CHS reminds us of that more and more every day. As a contractor, when someone tells me that my initial bid is way too high they either: 1.refuse to take my follow up calls because they've got someone cheaper lined up, 2.tell me I'm high and they have someone else in mind who can do if for their price or 3.tell me how much they have to spend and I work with them, all the while telling them exactly what they're going to get for that money. If they can live with it and I can live with it, then we have an agreement in principle and we MAY proceed. It's obvious that CHS's decision-making is based in no way on any expert mechanical opinions or if they are, very minimal opinion at that. They're a beauracracy unlike a DOT because they're not staffed to operate or maintain anything. It's very unfortunate that the state allows them to virtually run their own show but unless enough citizens in the state scream, holler and make a scene about it, nothing will ever change.
Tim, I've enjoyed interacting with you on this forum. I don't know a whole lot about you or your past experience with Marlin and I'm sorry it didn't go very well but don't pick a fight with them about the failures at the Loop. It starts at the top and ends at the top with CHS. That's where the buck stops.
Rob Gardner