Tom Wrote:
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> Or maybe it's time for you guys to come on up, pay
> your admission, pay for a RAL on the 917 and run
> it and see it for yourself that it's not rolled
> over on fire in the ditch like the comments here
> would like everyone to believe.
>
> 917 has a couple of dents in it, yes. But it's
> still in service, runs just fine and is scheduled
> to be repaired as soon as we have the time and
> finances. 917 already had rust damage on the nose
> and side sills, needed a paint job (hasn't been
> painted since UP painted it prior to donation in
> the early 80's) and is a tired engine. We are a
> non profit, so we're not rich. Restoring,
> painting and even operating these old peices takes
> a tremendous amount of time, money and volunteer
> hours. When you put your time and/or money into
> keeping these old trains running, THEN you are
> entitled to your opinions. Until then, why do the
> railfans feel the need to crap all over us?

From what's been described here, the damage was a result of a collision. Is that not correct? If it is indeed the case, maybe you could give us the details on how it happened. Was the resulting injury to a museum volunteer or a visitor? Was the equipment that was struck (apparently a "caboose train," whatever that is) occupied by people? If so, it sounds like the museum got off lucky, unless someone decides to sue you.

Your suggestion about coming to Portola to pay to run one of you locomotives jogged my memory. Some twenty-plus years ago, I happened to drive through Portola after looking at potential retirement properties in the Quincy area, saw the museum from the highway, and decided to stop in. I was soon approached by Vic Neves, who recognized me from the SP, and he asked if I'd be interested in signing up as one of their volunteer engineers. I declined. Not because I though it was stupid or anything, but I couldn't justify driving 5-plus hours to run a locomotive when I have a mere 18 minute commute from my house to run a locomotive I get paid to run.