Bob Spaugh sent me a heads up to the Elkhart Truth newspaper online. Interesting info on the reported rumor of Mohawk 3001 being restored to operation. I'd love to see that happen. :tb-biggrin: http://www.etruth.com/Know/News/Story.aspx?ID=530839
Lemme see if I got that story right... Elkhart IN owns a dead locomotive, stuffed & mounted and inoperable in a museum. A group proposes to lease it for $5K p/year(whether that is a fair amount is arguable)put $1M of the group's money into restoring it PLUS paying them royalties on the fare turnstile. Now lessee....Hmmmmm I got a locomotive, inoperable, rotting away,earning no money for the city. The city could get $5K rental annually, have a contract obligation to operate in/thru Elkhart for part of each year, collect royalties,let the restoration group spend THEIR money to restore it to better condition than it is presently... Is this a good deal for the city of Elkhart??? What to do,what to do!!!!! Charlie
The way the article is written, it implies that the Mayor may have an ego problem, or an NIH (Not Invented {i.e. thought of} Here) problem. However sometimes an official must stop worrying about "what if, what if", and visualize the long term benefit to the City and the many people outside of his little world. Granted Elkhart would lose a "stuffed and mounted" artifact for 15 years, but the City could require the group to create a large (roadside size) billboard to be put in the Mohawk's place for the 15 year period. That billboard could have a large photograph of 3001, complimentry text explaining the "loan" and honoring the restoration/operation group, an area kept up to date with monthly or quarterly restoration status, and when operational, accurate and current operation schedules. When you spread the word in a positive manner, the more folks will want to ride, and the more revenue will come back to Elkhart.
Ya know... We are railfans and we are coming up with all sorts of positive economic reasons for restoration of this locomotive, emotions and hobby aside. It seems to me that the only negative reason that the mayor came up with is that at the end of 15years the locomotive would be due for a major rebuilding coincidental with it's return to the city. The mayor, quite wisely, would not want the burden of rebuilding placed on the city. Hello.... in there ... who says it has to be rebuilt? It's dead,and decaying right now. Seems to me the rebuild,if it can happen, would return a locomotive in MUCH better shape than it is right now. It could "retire" again in much better condition. Also, who is to say that another operating agreement couldn't be reached, eh? I have this little gnawing feeling in the back of my head that sez that the city of Elkhart is smelling much more money for the city coffers in a purchase arrangement. BTW I just watched the restoration of a NYC 4-6-2 by a restoration group, the (something) and Smokey Valley RR. Quite interesting, lotsa work went into it! The film was on RFD -TV last night. Charlie
