by steamer69
Jeff Smith wrote:And I actually know where Brett is coming from about it. He can make a more clear explanation if he wants, and you all can rebut, including those from 470 who post on here.And as I have talked to Jeff about it, because at least he will ask, here it is.....feel free to show people how these points are wrong or unfounded, and I will rescind.
The reference to "mystery Money" is kind of like calling the F-Unit rebuild Frankinengine. They have flat out LIED about their monetary situation to cover up a deal gone bad with a boiler maker Benson Mountain, who had their licenced pulled for sub-standard work. He had been contracted by the 470 to do the work on 501, and the "trustees" never did their home work on him before giving him the contract. They had David Conrad from the valley doing the inspections on the locomotive Feb 20-21 1993, and again on April 17th 2002. 470 also sent Dillan Boiler Works a request for proposal, but they never responded, not wanting to touch anything that Benson had "worked" on. They gave the contract for boiler work to Benson over reputable people who bid, because they didn't do their homework. They didn't' want to hear any of it, to the point where they have had 6 different inspectors (Jim Moore, CSRX Contractor in 1986, Gary Bensman, J. David Conrad, the FRA Inspector, and Pete Bouley). How many other steam restoration projects can you name off that need to have that many different boiler inspectors? 6? Really?
As of 2004, the 470 had spent $80,267.76 on 501, and they don't even have a cosmetic restoration done. Where did that go? Parts. Brand new Superheater tubes, Boiler Tubes, Pistons, Piston Rods, Reversing quadrants, and other parts. And then, lets not forget the $250,000.00 from the Rines family after his death. (for those of you who don't know, Matt was the project manager and club member) The club was "too good" for money that would have to be spent on the restoration of 501, and the board held such a grudge (through their own lack of knowledge and perceived stupidity) that the $250,000.00 went to Maine Narrow Gauge for their preservation work. The rest of the money that they raised for the "restoration of 501" has gone to what? They started a restoration of the locomotive in March of 1987, and it's still not done yet. They have been lying to the people who gave them money to do a project that they never intended of doing, and have taken the last 25 years to get to the point that it is at now.....not done, and rotting. It sure looks like all the people who gave them money for the purpose of restoration of that locomotive have been swindled out of their good faith contribution.
They are now doing the same thing with #4268. People in the preservation world have told them that it would be just as easy to buy a working F-unit (+/- $55,000.00 on Ozark Mountain Railcar right now) and put the B&M body on it, as what they are doing. And I agree. They are going to be spending +/- $250,000.00 on the F-Unit, but they will not finish a cosmetic restoration on the other pieces of equipment (not just 501) that they have. The other F-Unit that they have can't be run over notch 6 because it will fry the relays and shut down. It's prime mover needs a complete rebuild, and it has electrical problems that are going to necessitate every inch of wiring in the thing being redone if they keep running it.....but instead they are doing #4268.....with money that just miraculously appeared. If you go back in this thread you will see "trustees" of the club saying that they can't do anything to ANY of the equipment because of no money, when they are claiming over $240,000.00 on their tax reports (the IRS form 999 are available to the public on line). They Can't do a book that club members and railfans have been asking for, but they can pay for a new GP-9 and also get two rebuilt traction motors, the suspension bearings, gear case covers, brushes, blower motors and all the other hardware needed to install them. This all for a unit that is GOIN TO BE SCRAPPED by their own admission. Oh wait.....I'm sorry, they're going to transfer every piece of equipment (except the body and frame) to the #4268. Not to mention the paint job on the "State of Maine Car". So who is lying, and who is telling the truth. That is why I have no use for them taking good railfans money.
The whole situation above stinks, and stinks bad. And if you are wondering where I got all this information.....it is in 470 club publications to include news letters, books on their equipment (published by them) and former volunteers since the 470 doesn't have them anymore....and before you go screaming that its' just one other person.....it's not. He was not the only one to work on the engine. The 470 club lists a total of 20 people who were actively involved in the project....Not just one man. So don't even start that diversionary tactic...so they can figure out how many of them they pissed off by letting the 501 and the rest of the collection ROT. Don't believe it? Go check out their web site. Oh wait a munite....they can't even keep that going either.
Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that's right is to get by, and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught. JC Watts
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to include tomato in a fruit salid.
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to include tomato in a fruit salid.
