Being serious, I am happy at the continued interest. I live close enough to either of these units that I can contribute on a regular basis, and let me say, it's now got me wondering about the potential. Being queer for the Lehigh doesn't help matters either.
Regarding the planning, I was just saying before you spend time developing a business plan filled with dreams and aspirations, call Pat on the phone, or talk to Burt Feasley. They aren't going to yell at you. I'm sure they get calls all the time (and make a few themselves). Find out what the status of the locomotive is, and what would be necessary to obtain ownership of one of the former LV units. That would take five minutes. As far as the rest of it...that's not their concern, it's YOURS. YOU'RE going to figure out everything else.
How would you like to spend three weeks developing a business plan to restore a unit, only to call and find out it has already been sold for scrap, or it's going to be restored and re-fitted with remote control for service in the Riverwright Energy Plant?
I would have looked silly walking into Industry with 20 copies of a 32-page business plan for the return to service of the LV211 without checking with them first, wouldn't I? Saved myself alot of heartache.
Again, a friend and I just went through this with the Buffalo to Salamanca BR&P line before it is torn up....trying to save it from the scrapper, and we wasted over a year farting around. I don't know anyone who is more committed to such a project, has devoted more time to seeing it become reality, who loves the line and it's history more than my friend....and the project has been and denied at every turn. For YEARS. I know my emptiness...I can't imagine his. Videos, public presentation, flyers, phone calls, tours, contributions, a business plan, local politicians......all for naught.
You have a good idea. Are you prepared to make that type of sacrifice, only to end up with a pile of ALCO manuals and empty envelopes with your new business logo on them? Been there - done that, brother.
If you have decided to obtain and restore a unit from "someplace", there's things you can do in your planning in generic fashion for any unit anywhere, but when you see one, just ask if it's available before you go wearing out your pencil.
To call the project to task, more discussion....maybe a meeting is in order. Can anyone on this forum assist in writing a business plan for this guy when the time comes?
"Backwards words say to used I. Again go I there...sh*t oh."