You summed up the situation, Rod, better than I ever could. Thanks. It's apparent from the following NPS statement that you mess with the C&TS at your peril.
“The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The removal of distinctive materials or alteration of features,
spaces and spatial relationships that characterize a property will be avoided.”
Unless the thinking of the NPS has changed materially over the years, I think that it is instructive to bring up their attitude of the very, very early in the life of the C&TS. The NPS was approached with the proposition of getting them involved in the C&TS. At that time they declined stating that they wouldn't be interested because the historical value of the line had already been unduly compromised. Now, in fairness I leave open the possibility that this position was a cop out on the part of the NPS by offering a CYA position. I don't know.
All this being what it may, I want to offer my thanks to Keith Hayes, et al, for all of the hard work they have done to obtain the current NPS blessing.
But let's not jeopardize all this fine effort through some actions, which on the surface may seem desirable, but could jeopardize the railroad's historical status. There has to be a way to satisfy the needs of the C&TS to improve its situation without losing anything in the process.
CJ