Though there may be some validity in discussing the reality of whether or not 2100 may be available someday soon, on what terms, etc., I personally find the discussion of the alleged specifics of another private operating company's financial circumstances, perils, etc. to be in somewhat unmannerly and poor taste--even if the person revealing said information is actually one of the principal creditors or debtors (which I assume, in this case, he is not).

If it were a public institution or tax dollars were involved, maybe. I have seen no indication that this is so in this case.

The fact that the GPRR ended in a financial disaster is universally well known particularly in the greater Northwest and as that financial condition could well impact the next developments pertaining to Rdg. 2100 it seems to me that it is both timely and very much in context to Mr. Hillcrests posting.
What I and many others find "unmannnerly and in poor taste" are postings that use oblique references to rumors and innuendoes as their centerpiece.
As many others have recently posted-- "if you've got facts state them,--if not keep quiet".
This forum will benefit greatly if all will follow that guideline.
IMHO-Ross Rowland

Certainly didn't mean to display Bad Form, I was simply re-stating (which probably was not necessary) the circumstances regarding what I think would the best thing for the 2100. I thought throwing in the "albeit rumoured" would cover it. Hope that if it goes anywhere, it goes home.

Cheers,
Dave

Now the trick is to find someone at B&O who can tell us if an endowment is possible and someone close by to help set it up. I am afraid I am to far away in North Carolina. Any ideas?

John Bohon

Much as the allegations of "financial disaster" may be "universally well known" (just as similar ones are about a 4-8-4 in the East), we've already had this website shut down once because some hot-head threatened legal action over allegations in this forum. As broke as Golden Pacific or whoever in Tacoma may be, they probably still have lawyers. Thus, it's best to err on the side of discretion and caution until actual auction or other serious disposition/acquisition proposals are announced.

Your last sentence basically, if carried out to an extreme, would mean that nobody could discuss, say, any of the actions at Strasburg, Steamtown, Grand Canyon, CSRM, IRM, C&TS, EBT, et al except designated official spokesmen or their clients. Do we really want this board reduced to a clipping service?

I'm willing to consult with them if/when I'm there to photograph the Memnon coming back on display. I have no idea if their financial planning actually allows for such an arrangement, however.

The figure I was quoted by a somewhat hot-headed official quite a while back was $40,000 for a repaint of AFT 1; obviously they had an estimate. Adjust for inflation, call it $45,000. It would probably have to be repainted every ten years or so to avoid getting into its current state, so that's about $4,500 a year, or call it $5,000 a year. How much of an endowment would be necessary for that?

"...$5,000 a year. How much of an endowment would be necessary for that?"

Figuring conservatively, about $80-100,000, which should provide 5-7% annual return without "risky" investments.

Howard P.

Gentlemen,

I think enough has been said about AFT #1, and the dialogue between two of our regulars has gotten downright ugly. That being said this topic is now locked for at least the next 7 days. I'll consider unlocking it then if someone can send me a good reason to do so.