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Re: 4449 Arriving, Turning, and Departing Wishram Today From the Oregon Side of the Columbia
Author: crmeatball
Date: 07-04-2011 - 16:27
Ed,
I can certainly understand the frustration of people seemingily "freeloading." It is obviously very expensive to operate these locomotives. And I am very appreciative to the organizations which own, maintain and operate these wonderful pieces of history. However, this line of thinking that those chasing the train are simply freeloading I find offensive. Especially in an economy where time and money is in short supply, many people do not have the money to pay $125 per ticket to ride the train, especially for those with a family. For my family of five, I frankly don't have $625 just sitting around for one day's activity. That money can be better used elsewhere. I can afford a tank of gas and a picnic and am still able to provide wonderful memories with my children, all while enjoying something we all love.
I was not able to chase the 4449, since I live some distance away. Had I lived in the area, I still would not have been able to ride simply because it is too expensive. I appreciate those who do ride and are able to support the train in this fashion. I am able to make the occasional donation to charitable organizations, but to pay so much to ride the train is just not in the budget - and probably not for a vast majority of railfans. So I would respectfully suggest not condemning those who chased rather than ride. It might just be they did what they could afford to do and support in other ways (like donating to the 4449 directly). The old adage of "you get more flies with honey than with vinegar" certainly seems appropriate.
I can certainly understand the frustration of people seemingily "freeloading." It is obviously very expensive to operate these locomotives. And I am very appreciative to the organizations which own, maintain and operate these wonderful pieces of history. However, this line of thinking that those chasing the train are simply freeloading I find offensive. Especially in an economy where time and money is in short supply, many people do not have the money to pay $125 per ticket to ride the train, especially for those with a family. For my family of five, I frankly don't have $625 just sitting around for one day's activity. That money can be better used elsewhere. I can afford a tank of gas and a picnic and am still able to provide wonderful memories with my children, all while enjoying something we all love.
I was not able to chase the 4449, since I live some distance away. Had I lived in the area, I still would not have been able to ride simply because it is too expensive. I appreciate those who do ride and are able to support the train in this fashion. I am able to make the occasional donation to charitable organizations, but to pay so much to ride the train is just not in the budget - and probably not for a vast majority of railfans. So I would respectfully suggest not condemning those who chased rather than ride. It might just be they did what they could afford to do and support in other ways (like donating to the 4449 directly). The old adage of "you get more flies with honey than with vinegar" certainly seems appropriate.
