I would suggest that a privately run operation would be preferable to a government funded one. A private operator would have a much greater incentive for the property to produce a profit and would be much more willing to do what it takes to meet that goal. Government operations are subject to numerous constraints that make their efforts difficult at best.

The bottom line for EBT is that they will have to have a significant change in management strategy and infusion of a significant amount of capital to survive. We have to be willing to do whatever it takes to fill the cars. We also have to realize that operating a modern tourist railroad requires a lot more savvy than in the past. The customer base is changing and we have to change with it if we are to survive. Some operators who have the resources are now bringing in additional income performing contract work or in a few rare cases, hauling revenue freight. If EBT has been selling off property and mineral rights, that is a very disturbing sign.

True. However, part of the charm and treasure of the EBT as it is currently is that it's almost literally a time capsule--tools were set down in the shops in 1956 and are still mostly in the same spots today.

Go to Strasburg or the Grand Canyon RR. Imagine the quaint air of Orbisonia/Rockhill Furnace shattered by the Wild West shootouts, the Amish buggy rides, the vintage-sepia-photo kiosk, the idling tour buses, an amusement ride, and all that other stuff. Imagine the dinner train, the 3'-gauge dome car, the spiffy yellow paint on the coaches, visits by Thomas on a diet, the. . . .

Throwing aside the situation that such shenanigans would probably not work in such a rural area, can one see how such private ownership would indeed "kill the goose laying the pewter eggs" (in this case)?

A private owner/operator would probably find no profit in running a time capsule. So we're back to square one.

But just look at Cass. Not daisy-picker friendly, and as remote as it gets. That place still defies all logic. But yet one has to think, "If it works there, it can work anywhere."

I was thinking along the same lines... look at the Nevada Northern or the C&T. Comparatively, they make EBT look as if it were located at a shopping mall. Granted, the scenery might be more spectacular, but considering the history of the line, the still standing structures and machinery left in place, as well as the amount of steam that can and at times does run, EBT is well worth the comparatively short drive.

Now, if they were to refurbish the line South.... Realistically, the line could be extended North to Mt Union which should be relatively (read: relatively) easy, and if I recall, forthcoming, that would be a big plus. In the short term a few ideas that would seem infailable would range from a narrow guage Thomas (even if it were not steam powered) or a picnic area at the Y end of the line (and again extension to Mt Union). Also, imagine having an Engineer for an Hour program (both Steam and diesel). Where else in the NE part of the country can you run steam ('cept Penns Grove on certain weekends). Seems a tidy profit could be had and I doubt the price would be an issue to those desiring throttle time (and it's all for a good cause, too).

/Mitch

I think everyone needs to know that the K Family owns the land, railroad and right away lock stock and barrel. When the railroad was bought in the 1950's only 850+ K was spent to purchase the railroad. With 22,000 acres of land with Mineral rights too. Offers have been made many times and the railroad has been valued as low as 2 million and some has high as 50 million recently.

What everyone has to understand is that Joe is in control of the price. Depending on the day in which you get him the price can be good and he wants to sell the railroad only to the bad days that he wants 50 million for the railroad and land. Most of the decision you have to get past is the emotional attachment the K family has to the railroad and that they are in the scrapping business so everything including the EBT looks to be a scrap deal for them.

While this would be a good save it all comes down to debt load. If the railroad was to be bought by someone privately they have to have deep pockets to revive the railroad. Currently in its state its only a train ride and with the currently general public it has to be turned into a entertainment venue. How long that would take would be up to the new owners. Not only the EBT is suffering from a bad case of lack of advertisement since you have about 20 million folks that are less then 3 hours away that could come and ride the train in a new state instead of down and bad. This does not include that your 20 miles off of the turn-pike or 20 miles from US RT 22.

The real money is in the south end and the north end of the railroad. At 50 million which I know has been asked by the family would mean the monthly debt would be 138K + a month on a 30 year loan without interest.

Where would you find the ridership to make it go at that debt load plus you'll need at least 20 to 30 Million in your kitty to fix all of the problems and pains the EBT has. Sorry to say that the current owners have had chances but have passed up the opporutites to have someone new to take control for the better of the railroad. The friends have done a lot and should be commended for there efforts on trying to preserve it but I have to wonder if they have been used to prep the EBT for being sold too.

You also have to consider that any track equipment has to be re-gaged and this has been priced out with a few folks at 1.7 million to 2 million dollars. This would definally be needed to keep the railroad in tip top shape and to make the rehab go faster on opening up the track.

All in all the EBT is good find but the negoications with the K family will be ruff road to go down and good luck to the people who do it as they will pay dearly for a railroad that needs a lot of money put in to it.