Was that right? $578,000 for a pavilion to house a steam locomotive and passenger car? What in the world are they building that thing out of?

I just priced a 50' x 60' prefab metal building with insulation at $20,000 delivered to my site. Footers and foundation work will probably cost another 10k, and probably that much for erecting and finishing the building. We are going to house our big cross compound stationary steam engine inside it, and our entire project, including land acquisition,moving the engine, constructing the foundation and building will probably not hit $100,000. Of course I have been known to squeeze a dollar until George cries!

Why does a pavilion, not even a full building, need to cost THAT much? If I were given that much money I could erect shelters over a dozen locomotives, if that is all that they are doing. If it is just a part of a building that will house other exhibits, then I could see the cost, perhaps.



rickrailrd@aol.com

Many years ago I cosmetically restored the Glover 2-6-0 now on display in Marietta, GA. I did the job at a low but adequate price, maybe too low....nobody ever complained.

I specified the requirements for a roof and shed to be erected to house it that would not only protect it from the weather but from the reach of vandals as well.

The shed they built does neither and cost more than the restoration.

I was told that the total cost of the restoration and shed cost less than landscaping of the sides of the overpass next to the old Glover plant.

City governments seem to know how to build expensive buildings but not practical ones or esthetic ones, and have no clue about dealing with large mechanical artifacts. Bureaucrats faced with new and foreign issues to solve tend towards inaction and conservatism as safe ground. They spend more freely on things that resemble things they have done before without backlash.

Dave



irondave@bellsouth.net