As always, there are more than one versions of a story.

The Prairie Trains were subjected to various creative accounting to show a loss. Things were charged against them that were not done for other projects. But over five years, the trains generated over $250,000 in revenue. Which went into the General Fund. Monies BAERA needed. But at no time did the operating costs for the trains exceed the income.

Despite comments to the contrary, the train operations were not as destructive as some might believe. The truth is that the entire 21 miles from Cannon to Montezuma suffered from years of no maintenance by the SN and the WP. Add to that the years of abuse by the steel train operations over the line before the retirement of the ferry Ramon and the railroad was (and still is) just plain worn out. It is no secret that the line needs ties and tons of ballast. The bridges on the line are wooden structures well past their prime.

As to the why of electric only focus for the Museum, at no time was the overall BAERA membership ever asked what they thought. Actions were taken to end dissent from the party line. The Directors at the time made the decision without input from the membership. Those individuals chose what they did for their own reasons. Political at best, personal at the worst.

The fact is that the when the steam and diesel operations ended, those people who supported those projects moved on to other things. A sad waste of talents. But, that is all in the past now.

Spin it as you wish, what is done is done.