Charles Brown Wrote:
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> I've got a few questions. Would the restaurant
> idea be such a bad thing for the 982? Granted
> that it would probably make it inaccessible for
> future movement, but at least it would presumably
> be well cared for.
>
> I get the impression that the city isn't
> enthusiastic about dealing with an outside
> organization regarding the future of the
> locomotive. Would acquiring a permanent display
> site guarantee that the city would turn the 982
> over to you? As a possible way to get around the
> issue, could you negotiate a deal with an
> established museum such as the Museum Of The
> American Railroad (which I use strictly as an
> example) to "permanently display" the locomotive
> at their site in Frisco? Once you get full
> ownership or control of the 982, then you could
> move it to a more favorable location.
>
> Finally, is it absolutely necessary to restore it
> to operation? Given the recent track record of
> various organizations with similar endeavors, I
> would just as soon see the 982 displayed in an
> indoor location or at least with a roof over its
> head.
>
> Charles Brown


The City Of Houston has never truly taken care of the locomotive since it was donated to the Houston Jaycees and the City Of Houston. Over the years while it sat in Herman Park, she did just that. It took an outside group to first clean her up, then when the City needed the parking spaces for the new design for the park, they moved her, did the AA.

I sincerely doubt the City would want to give the locomotive to the Museum Of The American Railroad...who is going to pay to move it?

Encased inside a restaurant does not give the public access to the locomotive, and fifty percent of restaurants fail. Then what do you do? Full restoration and operation is the best bet to keep the engine looked after and maintained.