Don Simon = "Epic Fail"Conrail Jon wrote:D'oh, I pulled a Don Simon!![]()
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Don Simon = "Epic Fail"Conrail Jon wrote:D'oh, I pulled a Don Simon!![]()
Beyond that - were this year's Polar express trips a total flop? What went so horribly wrong this year that they can't even meet their own basic operating expenses? (i.e. laid off virtually the entire staff!) Read between the lines and it sounds like far deeper troubles than just not making enough off of Train Festival...CSX_CO wrote:Worse than that, it makes it sound like they didn't draw much of ANY profit out of it, let alone enough to pay for a rebuild.Mr. Tops wrote:That means they may not have drawn enough of a profit from Train Festival to fully aid 1225's rebuild...AARR wrote:From e-mail off TRAINS Magazine news wire:
"Train Festival's income and expenses were very close to each other."
Practice Safe CSX
I can easily believe that - but it really just further begs the question of what went wrong this year? As Zack suggested (and given that I'm an accountant) I'd love to take a look at their books and see where it went. Somebody's got some explaining to do and if that doesn't happen it'll endanger their ability to attract grants & donations...GLC 392 wrote:believe it or not we only had a few complaints this year.. people were a little disappointed but they understood that stuff happens. The trips are more for family's than say for foamers, the family's don't care because there going to the "North Pole" and spending time together as a family and having fun.
Well that is good. A smart foamer would not ride the train if they wanted to see the locomotive. Family's probably dont care all that much about the engine.GLC 392 wrote:believe it or not we only had a few complaints this year.. people were a little disappointed but they understood that stuff happens. The trips are more for family's than say for foamers, the family's don't care because there going to the "North Pole" and spending time together as a family and having fun.
Her service life was up when C&O retired it in 1951...It is now, and has been since 1957, an attraction -- be it static or under steam. We're lucky 1225 is still around today as it very easily could've stayed in New Buffalo or even East Lansing and remained cold...TrainWatcher wrote:But I again hate to see her end her career way before her service life is up.
The Argus article says they are applying for an MDOT grant for the rebuild. It's my understanding they did get an Enhancement grant to rebuild the turntable but I'm pretty sure the locomotive won't qualify. http://www.michigan.gov/documents/instr ... 7182_7.pdf (See page 10) Indiana and Ohio have more liberal regulations than Michigan.TrainWatcher wrote:Sadly, I think we are seeing the end of 1225. I mean something to me smells a little fishy, and sure SRI had a few problems with her this year, the leaky tubes, and the bearing issue during Hamburg's Railroad Days. But I again hate to see her end her career way before her service life is up. They spent a lot just to get her out of MSU, to run for a few years and then... what? Are they just going to stay closed all year? Thats not going to make ANY money.
Is SRI qualified for any State Grants, or Federal Grants?
East of... you mean Detroit? No, they're in worse trouble.jukeman45 wrote:Look to the East and you'll find a big old building that's in just as much trouble as SRI. Or so I hear.
As much as I have a dislike of SRI and some people there, Ben this is where you are wrong. a Smart "foamer"(hare that term) would ride the train as much as possible. or atleast make a large donation. If no one rides the train, the engine doesn't movebnsfben wrote:Well that is good. A smart foamer would not ride the train if they wanted to see the locomotive. Family's probably dont care all that much about the engine.GLC 392 wrote:believe it or not we only had a few complaints this year.. people were a little disappointed but they understood that stuff happens. The trips are more for family's than say for foamers, the family's don't care because there going to the "North Pole" and spending time together as a family and having fun.
Anyway, this is a very VERY sad situation. Let me say this though, I am VERY glad that I saw, possibly, the last time that 1225 ran. I saw her on her one and only NPE trip in 2009. Best of luck to all of SRI and it's volunteers!
Also, like someone said before... getting a new "cheaper" steam engine may not be the best option right now. Going through a entire rebuild could cost much more than what the inspection is for 1225.