Ok everyone, here are the facts from someone who knows:

SCPC 2 was awarded 1 month of protected covered storage per day of operation. This was agreed to prior to the engine arriving on property.

The value of a day of operation is $1,600 based upon other traveling engine shows

The storage was in no way worth that but the owner wanted to help the place out

As time went on the staff became less supportive of steam, not marketing, underfunding, and generally devaluing the importance and work a steam program represents

The director in November decided that steam operations would be severely curtailed and the 924 restoration would continue to not be a priority

I presume the owner decided he was wasting his time and took a job that had been offered to him earlier at a much more notable institution. Who can blame him, life is short...

The owner has invoked his agreed to storage that had been decided upon before the engine ever went to NWRM.

If anyone has a beef take it up with the museum leadership. Seems to me the generosity of Stathi was taken advantage of. Stop bashing a guy that has done a lot for the industry and try to make a positive difference by rebuilding something rather than trashing the people who have actually done the work. Is it any wonder lots of these museums are constantly under performing....