The original request did include a shop building for WURA's use and potential lease to a contractor performing outside customer's railroad equipment repairs. During the review process, the state rail committee did not believe the shop was needed, and offered to consider a much smaller project.

The project was not just a depot for the tourist train, but as a multi-modal center including park-and-ride and the county bus. The "storage building" is actually a bus barn for the county bus.

Connect Oregon grants have been limited to rail, water, air and multi-modal projects, with a minimum percentage being spent in each region and the balance available statewide. Due to the density of transportation systems, the Portland area and Willamette Valley tend to get the majority of grants. The grants are scored by the regional transportation group, and a state modal group. The succesful grant applications seem to be based on political support as much as need, transportation integration and job retention/creation.

They have tended to avoid funding small projects seemingly preferring larger ones. Coos Bay obtained a substantial amount. Klamath Northern tried for a grant to begin upgrading their light rail, yet Lake County did get one for a project between Alturas and Lakeview.