Lawyers & Insurance Companies run the country...
The N&W #1218 was transferred from the old Southern steam shops in Birmingham to it's present location in serious need of heavy repairs to the tune of over $500K.
The #4501 also has need of heavy repairs, a well known fact. This locomotive can run again, but all steam locomotives are subject to constant breakdowns, that's a Historic fact.
The N&W J #611 was in running condition when parked by a decision from NS to cancel the Steam Program in the late '90's due to the high cost of insurance...CSX also made a determination that anyone running excursions on their lines must post a $2m insurance bond...
Bill Purdy, Steam Superintendent for the Southern Railway Steam Program was the "ram-rod" that supervised all the work done for the above mentioned locomotives. He dedicated the #4501 to his wife Sarah Purdy & upon her death 3-13-93 requested the then green & gold locomotive to be painted black & gold.
Funding by the government now goes under the category of "pork-barrel" spending...that is influenced by how well the economy is doing, the amount of national debt, etc.
Private enterprise funding like being done by the UP can be deducted as advertising budgeted spending, but that doesn't cover all expenses.
Public donations far outspend corporate contribution to non-profit organisations in the USA, if steam is running it's for the most part paid for by private individuals contributing to a particular program.
The TVRM, started in 1961 is long established as a multiple funded organisation...motion picture leasing has contributed greatly to the programs, successful businessmen have also helped greatly. Daily runs take a part in ticket sales, most of the long excursions are underwritten by organisations or the TVRM itself.
The SARM is involved in the cleanup of K-25 at Oak Ridge, TN, that uses the SARM locomotives daily. Vintage Locomotives owns the engines.
The N&W #1218 was transferred from the old Southern steam shops in Birmingham to it's present location in serious need of heavy repairs to the tune of over $500K.The #4501 also has need of heavy repairs, a well known fact. This locomotive can run again, but all steam locomotives are subject to constant breakdowns, that's a Historic fact.
The N&W J #611 was in running condition when parked by a decision from NS to cancel the Steam Program in the late '90's due to the high cost of insurance...CSX also made a determination that anyone running excursions on their lines must post a $2m insurance bond...
Bill Purdy, Steam Superintendent for the Southern Railway Steam Program was the "ram-rod" that supervised all the work done for the above mentioned locomotives. He dedicated the #4501 to his wife Sarah Purdy & upon her death 3-13-93 requested the then green & gold locomotive to be painted black & gold.
Funding by the government now goes under the category of "pork-barrel" spending...that is influenced by how well the economy is doing, the amount of national debt, etc.
Private enterprise funding like being done by the UP can be deducted as advertising budgeted spending, but that doesn't cover all expenses.
Public donations far outspend corporate contribution to non-profit organisations in the USA, if steam is running it's for the most part paid for by private individuals contributing to a particular program.
The TVRM, started in 1961 is long established as a multiple funded organisation...motion picture leasing has contributed greatly to the programs, successful businessmen have also helped greatly. Daily runs take a part in ticket sales, most of the long excursions are underwritten by organisations or the TVRM itself.
The SARM is involved in the cleanup of K-25 at Oak Ridge, TN, that uses the SARM locomotives daily. Vintage Locomotives owns the engines.
