I'd like to do sort of an informal poll here, I can't really use hard numbers but I would like the general impressions from those of you who are operating this summer how patronage compares with last year and more importantly 2008. If your patronage is noticeably down (or,I hope, up) do you attribute this to the economy generally or some local factor?

M E Allen

I was at WK&S to check out 'the other 734' last Sunday, the 4th of July. I was surprised to see how light the patronage was. I have nothing to really compare WK&S to, but remember riding the M&H several years ago with my kids, again on the 4th of July, and it was well attended. I realize this is an "apples to oranges" comparison, but driving home I had the very same thoughts that MEA has expressed.

For what its worth, that 65 ton GE is a real gem; the guys did a really first class job with its restoration, as they seem to have done with everything else on the property. If you are in the area, pay them a visit and go for a ride; you won't be disappointed. Their website http://www.kemptontrain.com has a link to a site by Jeff Z. with lots of interesting restoration photos.