The money for the refit not only existed, it is, as far as I know, still in an escrow account earning interest.
One problem was the aging of the crew, but the biggest headache was lack of support from the Been Nunthin' Since Frisco. Without commitment from the RR, the SLSTA couldn't guarrantee enough sales to pay the huge insurace premiums demanded in the post-9/11, post-Traction engine explosion (Ohio?) world.
As to the OP: I would figure out how to buy one if I had to sell almost every other hobby item I own to finance it. It need NOT be VL--I don't need all the gimcrackery. Accurate (not a USRA clone) and Excellent sound will do for me. It is one engine I'd even consider buying from MTH.
And I would suggest they paint a few in the other survivors' numbers; I'd like a 1501, too, please. The look is quite different with the air tanks under the running boards. 1501 is about 2 1/2 miles from where I work, and I swing by as often as I can to dream about winning the Lottery . . . .
Originally Posted by J Daddy:
Its seems this locomotive has just faded into history.
Its amazing how some locomotives plagued with the same fire box and flue issues can come up with funds and are back on the rails in a few years (thank goodness) while others are doomed to storage for the rest of their lives as a static display.
