On the trip last March, you could hear the rods pounding. The fact that the Sierra cancelled trips due to problems with the engine certainly does not bode well. From the equipment visible around the Oakdale engine house, it did not appear, to me anyway, that they were equipped to properly maintain it. The commision made no provisions in the lease for the Sierra to return the engine in good condition or even whould pay to transport. Given the Sierra's financial condition, it would seem possible a "here's your engine, come and get it" scenario could take place.

The Sierra paid next to nothing to the commission for use of the engine which should have gone to Carson City and been stored.