It all came down to control and ego.

The "Party Crowd" versus the "Workers".

VERY long story short. The "Party Crowd" didn't want to lose control to the "Workers". They changed the by-laws of BAERA and bought votes/memberships to keep themselves on the Board of Directors. There was even a slick mailer to convince the membership to go "Trolley Only" by eliminating steam and diesel trains/projects. That failed - losing in an election, but they eventually adopted that policy by BOD action anyway without asking the membership.

Most of the "Workers" left and went on to other things when their funding and projects were ended.

There is more, but it doesn't really matter. The Museum is what it is. Lot's of potential, little funding for anything and a graying demographic that's getting smaller every year.