Y6a funding, etc.

[NW Mailing List]

Yes 2156 would be expensive to restore, but not $20 million.  I talked with Ed Dickens last year and he said it was ~ $6 million to restore the Big Boy, and it would take another $6 million to get 3985 going which is the big reason why it was retired..  What was the cost for 611, roughly $2 million?  

 

Jason Maxwell

 

From: NW-Mailing-List [mailto:nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org] On Behalf Of NW Mailing List
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2020 12:13 PM
To: nw-mailing-list
Subject: Y6a funding, etc.

 

As pointed out the deal was for a limited time and that is that. Many museums don't have the same mentality of something being specific to a different place than THEIRS, as their prevailing attitude is IT;s MINE and always will be and that's that, no matter what, never minding a home elsewhere might really be a better served idea than elsewhere.

 

Even though management and jurisdictions have changed of the St. Louis group over the years, just recall that maybe it was 20 years ago, some Lackawanna folks desired to get the Camelback engine which had been in St. Louis's care and custody for decades back to home rails and whatever plans and reams they might have had. Politics and nastiness got involved and ultimately the court and the St. Louis group was permitted to keep "THEIR" toy, no matter other ideas. I suspect much the same mentality exists even today: it's provincial, and that's that.

 

As for purchasing it from them: HA, good luck. Just on provincial grounds I am sure no amount of money could steer it away from St. Louie's ownership grasp.

 

As for repairs and return to operability, let's get a life here. Recent history - the UP Big Boy cost UP well over (or so it was purported) in excess of $20 million to restore to what we saw last year. They had the shops and everything to do it in house and you think you want to return it to operation? The loco has been out in all kinds of weather, snow, ice, freeze, thaw cycles, etc. for close to 60 years and not a far more hospitable southern California climate. And you think the great big Y would be much less?

 

However well intentioned, the VMT hasn't even been able to get the necessary funds to properly store and service their beloved J since that restoration started, and it's a fraction of the cost of restoring the Y6a. Western Maryland Scenic hasn't been able to get all $$$$$ needed for its loved toy and look at all that has gone thru. All of these should be lessons into the real world of such things: dey t'ain't cheap and dey t'ain't easy. 

 

In many ways, my hat goes off to the VMT for realizing its own financial weaknesses: don't play with a Champaign appetite and a beer wallet and they see to have figured that out.

 

I'm not against such plans and dreams, but, guys - let's get a dose of reality here. Unless you have access to the Bill Gates' foundation/s type place for necessary funding, be reasonable and be serious. Let's be thankful for the five years that 2156 has been away from its owner for that in itself was a major accomplishment. How many other times has that group loaned out ANYTHING?

 

Bob C.

 


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