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Can "Train Mountain" Be Saved ????
Author: Ken Shattock (KRK)
Date: 01-28-2011 - 10:17
Can "Train Mountain" Be Saved ??? (An Editorial)
Recent legal action revealed a troubling picture of "Train Mountain". Often referred to as "The Dream" by founder Quentin Breen, Train Mountain's 2,000 acres hold more than 30 miles of 7.5" ga. track. It's the largest scale railroad in the world. Train Mountain (TM) and its property are reportedly embroiled in legal action involving the Internal Revenue Service and founder Quentin Breen's estate (reportedly controlled by his surviving wife, Sharon).
Stories of TM's tax troubles with the IRS, allegedly involving millions in possible back taxes, prompted one of TM's members to file a complaint with the Circuit Court of the state of Oregon for the County of Klamath (click here to view) in an attempt to obtain TM's financial records and other information. The results, made public in early December 2010 (click here to view), showed how TM came to be in its present condition.
At the beginning of the document you may notice several business ventures not directly tied to its charter. Was TM being operated independently as per 501c3 guidelines? Another question, did Breen draw funds from TM in violation of 501c3 rules? These public documents are provided by the Train Mountain Members Association which was formed to help preserve the railroad.
If TM is lost, not just the railroad will be affected. The town of Chiloquin, Oregon counts on the revenue from members and visitors coming to events at the railroad. Also, the members of TM that have actually relocated to Chiloquin to be "a part of" the railroad face an uncertain future. Can the railroad, or at least portions of it, be saved? What will happen to those that relocated to Chiloquin, Oregon to be near Train Mountain? This story is evolving and may take years to resolve. We will be reporting more as it unfolds.
The principles in this case, Fred Vertel and Sharon Breen have declined requests for interviews.
Please credit Editorial to the "Discover Live Steam" forumn...
NOTE: According to one of my knowledgable and trustworthy sources within the State of Oregon,
Sharon Breen and the "Train Mountain" folks may owe the 'IRS' as much as $ 22 Million and my same source says the 'IRS' may have already taken over the property...
This is an extremely bad situation and very sad as well. Do any of our readers have any further information to share or general comments on the subject ??
Ken Shattock (KRK)
Secretary
North American Region
International Brotherhood of Live Steamers
Recent legal action revealed a troubling picture of "Train Mountain". Often referred to as "The Dream" by founder Quentin Breen, Train Mountain's 2,000 acres hold more than 30 miles of 7.5" ga. track. It's the largest scale railroad in the world. Train Mountain (TM) and its property are reportedly embroiled in legal action involving the Internal Revenue Service and founder Quentin Breen's estate (reportedly controlled by his surviving wife, Sharon).
Stories of TM's tax troubles with the IRS, allegedly involving millions in possible back taxes, prompted one of TM's members to file a complaint with the Circuit Court of the state of Oregon for the County of Klamath (click here to view) in an attempt to obtain TM's financial records and other information. The results, made public in early December 2010 (click here to view), showed how TM came to be in its present condition.
At the beginning of the document you may notice several business ventures not directly tied to its charter. Was TM being operated independently as per 501c3 guidelines? Another question, did Breen draw funds from TM in violation of 501c3 rules? These public documents are provided by the Train Mountain Members Association which was formed to help preserve the railroad.
If TM is lost, not just the railroad will be affected. The town of Chiloquin, Oregon counts on the revenue from members and visitors coming to events at the railroad. Also, the members of TM that have actually relocated to Chiloquin to be "a part of" the railroad face an uncertain future. Can the railroad, or at least portions of it, be saved? What will happen to those that relocated to Chiloquin, Oregon to be near Train Mountain? This story is evolving and may take years to resolve. We will be reporting more as it unfolds.
The principles in this case, Fred Vertel and Sharon Breen have declined requests for interviews.
Please credit Editorial to the "Discover Live Steam" forumn...
NOTE: According to one of my knowledgable and trustworthy sources within the State of Oregon,
Sharon Breen and the "Train Mountain" folks may owe the 'IRS' as much as $ 22 Million and my same source says the 'IRS' may have already taken over the property...
This is an extremely bad situation and very sad as well. Do any of our readers have any further information to share or general comments on the subject ??
Ken Shattock (KRK)
Secretary
North American Region
International Brotherhood of Live Steamers
Can "Train Mountain" Be Saved ????