"Might a public / private partnership be designed to make better, more efficient use of a lesser tax provided subsidy, capable of providing a broader range of visitor-pleasing programming, and marketing it enthusiastically?"

I'm not suggesting that all private sector participants are this way but here's one gem from recent memory. Certainly the local NRHS chapter has been great at fundraising-I hope our return to Moscow this year helps them, both with the 3713 and the operation overall.

One group formed to effect a restoration on NKP 759, nothing ever happened in terms of getting a crew, funding, etc, etc. However, the staff got wind of rumors that they were trying to arrange a meeting somewhere in Ohio w/ the 765. Forget the issues related to transporting accessioned gov't property that far..not a thing had been done yet!

Normally, partnership requests mean "bring a steam engine, at park expense"

Bring forth a credible group, with adequate funding, ready to operate with adequate, competent and reliable staff-the Superintendent will listen.

My comments about the Superintendent were strictly my opinion that he is willing to create new MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL reltionships and do not represent any official policy or guarantees of any kind.

Our engine #75 is working great. Plans are in the works to take it to several places this year for a weekend event.

For the good of the order I'm very hopeful that superheater knows what he's talking about(even with the CYA disclaimer issued 3 minutes later) as our organization made 3 serious approaches to the former managements of S'town with thought- through joint venture proposals (1994,1998,2003),all 3 of which among other features included methodology to BRING revenue and ridership to S'town and as you might have guessed all 3 were declined,2 of them for in my view, specious reasons.
It cured me from ever trying again, but just maybe there's someone out there with a good engine, good plan and the willingness to try?? Let's hope so as the physical plant and railroad are both there and just begging to be operated by someone with the marketing/operating skills to effectively marry those assets to the customers.
Anyone seriously interested is welcome to contact me back channel and I'll be glad to share the essense of what we proposed(and was turned down) so they'll know what didn't fly at least.
Some will think this post contradicts my above promise to refrain from further participation in S'town posts- and I apologize if it does-but had to get on the record that someone very credible has tried to do what superheater proposes and to no avail. Let's hope that the current management is more enlightened then the ones I tried to deal with.??
Hope springs eternal!!!!!
Ross Rowland

Superheater is certainly right about the results of the verbal free for all that took place some months ago on the Chaski board. His comment prompted me to visit it for the first time in a long while and for all practical purposes it's dead.
A good lesson in that this forum represents a valuable resource for all of us to be able to share our ideas and experiences in a civil manner and not denegrate the way Chaski did, courtesy of the Wackos factor.
Seems to me that the basic problem at Chaski in addition to the juvenile posters was the absence of any effective moderator(matter of fact the then moderator was one of the prime offendors!) a condition which I'm confident will not occur here.
Let's all do our best to devote our energies to principals over personalities!
Ross Rowland

The Bill O'Riellys, and on the other end of the spectrum, the Bill Mahers of the world ask many questions but have no answers. Why? Because it is how they make a living. Ever hear of Bill Maher before George got into office? Not much.

Later!
Mr. Ed