Oh, here's one more. Please defend the Commission on this one...

The Commission can't directly buy a locomotive with project funds because they are restricted to building a right of way. Instead they borrow nearly $500,000 to buy the McCloud #18.

Leave aside the argument from people who know that the #18 is not suited to the V&T, let's look at the public aspects of this deal.

The Commission then uses right-of-way money to pay about $20,000 per year of interest and principal payments on the #18. Then they turn around and let the Sierra people use the locomotive in exchange for a $3000 insurance policy and a few hundred bucks a year.

There was never any competitive bidding on the #18 deal. By artificially keeping the value under $9000 they sidestep the Nevada legal requirement for a competitive bid.

Then the commission signs a lease with Sierra that says $2 per passenger rental fee, but puts no limits on the distance, location or duration of the contract.

The only thing that makes the contract end is when the "fully reconstructed" line reaches Carson City.

So how much would it cost to rent a locomotive like the #18 on the open market? Could you do it for $3-500 per year?

Please defend the #18 lease and tell me how well the Commission is spending public money. Thanks!