ron Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> BOB2 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The more I read this thread the more I think
> that
> > any "advantage" of doing these "inspections" by
> > speeder, as a "business", would be that you
> could
> > then write off your hobby as a "business"
> expense
> > on taxes.
> >
> > I have a friend who acquired quite a nice
> classic
> > car collection by doing a little of that kind
> of
> > "creative" accounting, buying them for the
> > "business", "depreciating" them, and then
> > "selling" them, back to himself, at "fully
> > depreciated" "value".
> >
> > Just make sure you don't ever admit to the
> auditor
> > that you're doing this, though......
>
> I was thinking the same thing . Maybe more along
> the lines of a guy wanting to take his speeder out
> on shorelines sightseeing and call it a track
> inspection. You brought up the tax angle. My
> unanswered question was are you a FRA qualified
> track inspector?

The answer is yes. I'm a qualified FRA track inspector. I hired with Penn Central in '72, I retired from Loram.

Most of my colleagues insist speeders are exempt, I just want to clarify and the reason I like em better is to save maintenance on hydraulics, they are SAFER in my experience. Specially in reverse.

It's disturbing the amounts of paranoia in this thread. I just want to share and appreciate the knowledge of this family in this forum. Thanks for the help. I hope to keep contributing in the future.

Brad E. Thomas

PS: I was hospitalized with minor injuries when a Conrail signal hirail picked up a switch back in 82 in Pittsburgh. The old NYC was pretty beat up. The points were fine, but the hirail gear got a good workout while the gang cars soldiered on.

Brad