Severn Lamb in the UK builds a 36"gauge 4-4-0 based on the patterns & drawings from Bob Harpur, (Astroworld and Six Flags GA) and those sell for $1,000,000.00
Strasburg is building a replica of the V&T Lyon 2-6-0. The possibilities exist for a replica to be built and like everyone says, all it takes is $$$ and lots of it.
I am sure the CHS wouldn't mind using taxpayer & gambilng revenue for that!
However, the best answer to the whole situation is still this:
Admit the last three years were just an experiment to see if a state run entity could actually make a go of a 30+ year private sector operated business. Well it failed, and now they need to bring the previous and original operators back to fix it so they can begin to fill their coffers again and save face with the state, and the locals.
Its unfortunate that we as railfans are but a miniscule voice in the political realm of this whole situation. Are we being heard? Not much if at all. What will it take to be heard? God forbid something happens that ruins it for everyone.
Just my .02 worth... feel free to talk amongst yourselves.
"What? Me Worry?" Alfred E. Newman