...CSRM didnt seem to have any room to store the collection indoors. The big steamers were left to rust and deteriorate in the elements outside the shops area along with most of the diesels, motorcar, etc.

As a side note, I have a friend who works in commercial real estate for a major Sacramento firm. His company once owned the former Safeway warehouse on Florin Perkins Road, which has two long covered spurs off the CCT at Polk. CSRM used these spurs to store donated rolling stock and locomotives destined for the museum before it was built.

He told me his company was asked by the CSRM if theyd be willing to do this again after ATSF donated the collection. The company's response was sure, if CSRM would do basic trackwork to replace the worn out ties and rail which hadnt had maintenence in decades. The response was a big NO. So there you have it.