I MUST way in on this. Ben and I just got back to Cordelia after at 10 1/2 hour run from Portland down I-5 in 100 degree heat. Those that made comments about the train and the need for money to support it have NO clue. It takes a LOT of people to put these excursions together and it is becoming increasing difficult to continue to run the engine that some many people have enjoyed for some many years without contributing one thin dime! I love that engine as much as anybody, and Margaret (SP and 4449 fan) Monroe knows it. (She has probably spent more hours then anyone wiping that engine down!) I put my money where my mouth is (Ben and I are both members of the Oregon Heritage Railroad Foundation) because we want the #4449 in a secure dry, place WHERE everyone can see it. The purpose of the two trips to Wishram this weekend was in support of the fund raising effort to build a state of the art facility across the River from downtown Portland to house the 4449. 700, and the 197. Enough money has been raised to start construction but close to a million more is needed. UP needs the land that the roundhouse sits on the expand their intermodal facility at Brooklyn. They have a Jan. 2012 deadline. The long and short of it is that donations are a far better way top raise money then RUNNING an excursion. The fees to paid to BNSF and Amtrak are NOT cheap and the insurance premium almost makes the whole effort seem like treading water. Dozen of volunteers are needed on the train and they work their asses off. Ben and I drove up Friday and worked both trips this weekend. On duty at 7:30 a.m. and tying up around 6 p.m. The volunteers cleaned the entire train both days. Ed Immel spent LONG hours as did other managers to make sure the volunteers were properly instructed and dressed professionally. These are some of the same folks that come out and support the Santa Trains in December.Ben and I drove up and volunteered for in the parking lot in in driving rain and 39 degrees.The reward was seeing lots of happy riders and steam heated STEAM passenger train. There is absolutely NO NEED to question Ed Immel remarks. He has devote half a life time since the Freedom Train Days to see that the #4449 is preserved for the next generation. The members of the original Freedom Train Crew including Jack Wheelhan and Bobby Slover give tirelessly of their time to see that the #4449 runs for everyones enjoyment. Stop the bickering and send a check to the Oregon Heritage Railroad Foundation so others can continue the enjoyment of its operation.