My understanding is that Friend of 261 spent a lot of their $$ reserved for the restoration to buy the locomotive. So the piggybank is severely depleted. Suggestions have been made for folks to contribute to Friends of 261 to replenish the coffers so the rebuild can be completed for the 2011 season. If you contribute $261, you get to be a friend for life, or something like that. Check their website.

Yes, this is a wonderful resolution to a high-drama playout. NRM either screwed the deal, or got off with a wrist-slap, depending on how you look at it. $225,000 for this locomotive was a steal, judging from other recent steam locomotive sales. But as Shakespeare said, "all's well that ends well."