I am sighing in relief with the words of Molly Butterworth, that MOT is on the road to recovery.

Seeing is believing. My past close relationship
with the founders in the mid-60s through the darkest days in the late 70s spans a lifetime, and
an era of neglect and missed priorities.

My last visit was with the AAPRCO Convention of
private rail car owners. Many who visited were shocked, saddened, and then angered at what we saw! Once beautiful vintage business and private cars "caught" in the museum were falling to the ground, literally, as windows fell out of their
frames, walls buckled and spread to the ground, and roof beams with fancy brass light fixtures crashed to the once beautiful carpeted floors.

All this, while rugged steam engines sat under cover! Bond funds collected for restoration earmarked for and Interstate Exit to the Museum;
$15,000 vitally needed dollars squandered on a
park train running around the parking lot; Total mismanaged carnage on an uncontrolled scale, was well off the scale!

Now, we must pay the piper; gain funding from any venue, and begin the long road back.

Molly, I hope and pray you have the 'boiler plate to make the grade!!! "I think I can" is a wonderful start.

Best of Luck and Go Get the MONEY!!



necco@wwnet.net

I have been very critical about MOT in the past and have been that way due to a lack of information about present management and the fact that I am 900 miles away. I don't drive by every so often so those type of impressions last a long time. My concern was that recent progress was only a vain attempt to stay ahead of the rot. This was compounded by the way other MOT folks would not respond to the tough questions about long range plans. I don't know why they would not respond by Molly did and her editorial was the best thing to come my way out of MOT ever. Now I do feel that there is some long term planning and decent leadership.

Tom Gears

tgears1@home.com