GUYS! Despite I Hate Steam's distinctly negative tone and twisted math HE DOES HAVE A POINT. And WHY isn't it possible to discuss such things without the childish name calling? Come on, grow up and lets discuss this like adults - if that's possible for you.

The point about "opportunity cost" is a valid one. The management of the museum is responsible for making the hard choices regarding equipment protection vs available space vs long term vs short term benefits. Its not easy and there are no 100% correct answers.

The simple fact is there's too much stuff that needs protection and not enough resources to restore and protect everything. Restoring and operating steam locomotives pulls heavily on resources. Sometimes the benefits outweigh the costs - sometimes not. Depends on how you look at it. Steam can be a great attraction both to museum visitors and volunteers, or it can break you. Look at the mess going on in Wisconsin at Mid Continent. Get a well thought out, rational plan, publicize it and then STICK TO IT. Constantly changing course mid way through projects will kill an organization.

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