The unknown here is how much working capital was contributed to the Foundation when it was organized by Messrs Levin, Moorman, and Posner.

Grants in the $1M range are usually made to organizations that have healthy balance sheets (cash on hand).

Likely the $1.1M from the State will be used as leverage for other grants to support the next phase of reconstruction.

Finally, the Friends of EBT are busy raising money to support the EBT Foundation with cash and volunteer labor.

Looking ahead, it appears the EBTF is taking a page from Cass, C&TS, D&SNG and others by building the capacity to provide different ride experiences at different price points. As an example, instead of Whittaker and Bald Knob at Cass, EBT will offer the choice of a scenic ride to Joller (and beyond in future phases) or a picnic ride to Colegate Grove. Bravo for planning this out.

Wesley

"how is this going to work?"

The same way you eat an elephant, one bite at a time.

Personally I don't know how they can go much faster even with the money behind them they have. Go EBT go. Like the Maine 2 footers, I think they are moving like gang busters which feeds its own fire. Delightfully watching some of the progress around the country. Takes good people and money, that's all! Regards, John.

If the proverbial "MegaMillions lottery winner" wrote a check for $50 million and ordered the railroad to be rebuilt completely in the famous "28 days" of AFT 1 legend.................. would YOU trust the track, or the boilers of the steam locomotives, or the Pogue trestle, or the tunnels, or the like?

I sure as hell wouldn't.

I totally understand that getting to Saltillo is going to be a multi-year process. I've been personally involved in half a dozen major track overhauls involving as much as 30 miles at once, so I know how long it takes. My reason in posting as I did was to point out that $1.1 million doesn't mean we'll be riding to Saltillo any time soon. There are many other things that have to be done, and there will need to be more grants and capital to make everything happen. Patience.

Firstly, the latest grant from the Commonwealth is the 3rd. they've received The first RACP grant was for $ 1.4 MM , then this one and before either of these they got over $ 1MM in early funding from Pa. for a total so far of over $ 3.5MM

Obviously to fully execute the long term goal of returning to service the entire 31 mile line AND fully restoring the entire Rockhill shop complex plus having 4/6 steam locomotives back in service will take xxxxxx millions and xxxxx years.

The great news is that with the 3 industry leaders solidly committed to seeing that happen you can comfortably donate what you can afford to the EBTF and know that you'll be part of the dream come true.

Onward & upward. Ross Rowland

...

The ballpark in Reading is also getting upgrades.

Major League Baseball took over the Minor Leagues and established new standards for clubhouse amenities and both Allentown and Reading are getting the improvements.

Presumably the Railriders' Moosic ballpark got those improvements when the Yankees took over.

Phil Mulligan

"The ballpark in Reading is also getting upgrades.

Major League Baseball took over the Minor Leagues and established new standards for clubhouse amenities and both Allentown and Reading are getting the improvements.

Presumably the Railriders' Moosic ballpark got those improvements when the Yankees took over."

As I noted circensenses.

Full disclosure:

In the summer of 1992, I attended 40 Red Barons games in Moosic and financed my bleacher-bum nacho and beer swilling by working at corporate welfare recipient PAMCO. A year or two later met former player Todd Pratt at a local bar when a game was rained out. I had a couple at a place called "The Sports Page", complained that Darren Daulton needed a rest, and that Pratt should be given a chance. My friend said "he can't be there and here". At which point he extended his hand, shook mine, thanked me but assured me Daulton was the man and bought us a beer. Nice guy.

I always liked Todd Pratt. He got to the 1993 World Series with the Phillies but "Dutch" Daulton played every inning. Apprenticeship under Daulton those years made him a leader and he spent many years as a backup catcher.

The Altoona Curve (AA affiliate of the Pirates) is also getting renovations at their ballpark.


Phil Mulligan

Some clarification/facts are needed here in regards the RACP funds. Firstly, the $ 2.5 million in RACP grants awarded to date to the EBTF the Foundation is required to match those funds dollar for dollar. Therefore the EBT Foundation needed to raise an additional $ 2.5 MM to match the RACP grant. They have done this.

Second, by the terms and conditions of the RACP grants the EBT Foundation must first spend the monies ( strictly in keeping with the use of funds stated in the grant application) and then submit receipts showing the expenditures for payment by the state.

Third, the RACP program is extremely well run and there is heated competition for the available funds.

And yes the late Rep. Geist was the champion that worked hard to get Commonwealth funding for the ill fated Pennsy K 4 project. Sadly, he and the project were badly let down by 2 " managers" in Altoona who turned the project into an abject failure. Constant media attention to that failure helped Geist lose his campaign for re-election.

Gratefully, the K4 project has been " adopted" by industry leaders Wick Moorman, Bennett Levin & Henry Posner and is now headed for eventual success as is the huge project to bring the EBT completely back to life, as it was in the early 20th. century.

Merry Christmas, Ross Rowland