I remember on another thread about the BB how I speculated her being hauled around for show with diesels doing the work and told basically I was crazy. I have been rather reserved but quite frankly, I have no respect for Ed or what he has "accomplished". Had the steam program been managed more responsibly without the ridiculous expenditure for the restore of 4014, I could see it surviving. However I believe all the publicity and expenditure on the 4014 could have actually sounded the death knell. Many times blind ambition and arrogance do this. Shame on Ed and shame on the people who approved this.
While the steam program was never a revenue stream, it didn't burn through money like it has recently either.
3985 is definitely more well liked than 4014 by more than 2 or 3 and most people flocking to 4014 don't know the difference anyway. It was all in how it was publicized.
3985 is certainly the better looking loco and more versatile than 4014 and 844.
