Let's stop all this walking on egg shells or pussy-footing around and call it like it is here. I don't expect present officers of GGRM to admit this but present day "Management" F----- up big time in their OUSTER of the man that put the organization together because of his vision and yes love affair with SP 2472. That person is Mike Mangini(spelling probably wrong). For those who did not know, here we have a fully trained Pharmacist that was able and willing to take a substancial reduction in his life's earnings to follow his dream and he gets kicked in the teeth by a group of members that wanted to second guess him and get more of the glory for themselves. Primarilly because of the contacts he and others of the same mind were able to cultivate the 2472 was able to travel to some points that were quite remarkable. The Garlic Festivl trips became legendary. Then there was the SLO Bean Festivle, The run to Los Angeles was a real accomplishment and feather in their cap. Besides being something spectacular to have been able to observe. An aside here as to the level at which 2472 had been rebuilt and maintained. On the return from Los Angeles with the Rio Grande Ski Train and the 4 biz cars; on arrival at SLO it was discovered that one of the Diesel helpers had died and could not be restarted. There was much debate as to what to do, the common feeling was that the 2472 was over tonnage and would not make it over Cuesta. The other problem to deal with was that there were no SLO helpers to be had; so with much trepidation the assalt on Cuesta began. 2472 made it and it was quite a site to see from the train, let me tell you. The point being, the whole operation of the GGRM of the old days was this same class act in whatever it attempted. Part of the ability to do this was the calibur of people that were doing the job, for instance the Engineer and Fireman were men that had handled that engine many, many times during their working careers and knew it well so as to be able to get full performance plus some out of it. One, and I think the main reason that the 2472 did all this was that Mike and GGRM were not asking to go 10 miles further when the railroad came to them to do a trip, and conversely when GGRM requested to run a trip they did not always try to go the extra 10 miles. Other So Cal organizations have and it's interesting that they don't seem to turn their wheels very far or often. Under Mike's leadership, GGRM also did everything they could to do what they did "first cabin". They found out what the rules that the RR wanted lived up to and they were known for not trying to "Mickey Mouse" the compliance with those requirements. Mike's accomplishing results might not have been as quick as some of the others wanted but, in taking time to move at what appeared the right pace he was usually able to get the desired results by moving quietly and low key, he seemed to have a knack as to when time was right to make a push to get whatever accomplished; the fact that there were probably those at the railroad helping goes without saying. I would dare say that if Mike were still around that the move out of Hunters Point just might not have happened. But we were never given the chance to find out. At least the important artifacts have gone to presumally good homes. And the count for Bay area museums dropping the ball and not living up to their full potential is now at 3; GGRM,CSRM,RVJ. Hopefully the remainder will wake up and smell the roses.
I've got my Nomex on, so let the flames begin. John