To answer the question re. the Sumpter Valley; the SVRy survives largely by being all-volunteer. It also has the advantage of being a historical property, operating mostly with original equipment and eligible for preservation-oriented grants. SVRy is an operating railroad museum, (with elements of logging & mining history as well), WURR is more of a tourist railroad. In spite of the proximity the two really aren't in direct competition. They're actually quite some distance apart, and the localities have a different clientel. The Willowa valley, with its art colony and dude ranches - not to mention the Oregon-side access to Hells Canyon - is seeking to appeal to the upscale crowd, whereas the Sumpter area has always had more of a blue-collar vibe.