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Return of GSMR steam excursions to Dillsboro possible with loan deal
The way the article reads it is a conditional grant, which if done properly could be a new way of looking at things, and if so, that might be why the City Council has never done it this way before. The key would be the provisions that would allow jobs to be created and maintained. If the jobs are not created and maintained for a designated minimum period of time, evaluated no less often than annually, then a defined amount of the funding would become payable as a loan based on a stated rate of interest. Hope this works out for everyone, even cynics like Jeffery.
Just another scheme for government to take money from the provider class (taxpayer) and give it to the recipient class. Which puts that tourist railroad on the welfare side of the ledger. Another “too big to fail” scheme. All kinds of red flags should go up just based on the reality of this scheme being thought up by an unnamed college educated pseudo-intellectual who probably has never had a real job in the private sector, and probably never will. When government takes from one person and give it to another, the economy does not grow because the person the money is taken from has that much less to spend. Never mind the skimming off the top which government does in the process of redistribution.
If GSMR wants to grow, do it with voluntary donations, trip tickets, and entrance fees.
Wouldn’t a $700,000 “forgivable loan” be just another way of saying “state grant” (using our tax dollars)? Apparently GSMR needs to re-think their business model.
Mr Guse, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need…” Karl Marx
I have ridden from Dillsboro on GSMR many times, and will continue to do so, steam or not. Taxation is not the way to fund private enterprise.
I don’t always agree with you Mr. Fuse, but this time I do. The $700,000 should be raised another way. I believe donations would be a better way. Otherwise, like Mr. Nichols says, the GSMR needs to rethink their business. The main issue I have with government subsidy in this instance is that it is openings canof worms. If taxpayer money pays for tourist rail, what about tourist flight. Will the government subsidize a helicopter company to give tours over the mountains. I believe the government needs to stop all of the subsidies and allow people to see the true cost of their choices. Note: This was typed on my phone. Please excuse any misspellings.
This “forgivable loan” sucks. It’ll probably be 2020 when steam returns to the GSMR seriously.
The steam locomotive they have is not suited for the task it has to undertake. Unfortunately, management seems blissfully unaware of this. For the grade and distance they need something far more substantial than a lightweight, low speed freight engine that will get pounded to pieces. A heavy 2-8-2 or 4-8-4 might be far more suitable.
The steam locomotive they have is not suited for the task it has to undertake. Unfortunately, management seems blissfully unaware of this. For the grade and distance they need something far more substantial than a lightweight, low speed freight engine that will get pounded to pieces. A heavy 2-8-2 or 4-8-4 might be far more suitable.
Former employees stated the GSMR made good income from the current operations. However, since the same parent company owns the Durango & Silverton, money from the GSMR goes to support the Colorado operation. Another point to remember, this management company took over the Texas State RR for about 3 years and walked away from it. They also had a loan for that operation and when they could not convince the county to convert their loan to a grant, decided to exit the property. The person who owns 51% of this management company, was involved in the “Florida Fun Train” which also went bankrupt. So North Carolina, watch your wallet. The management company should stand on their own. I’m sure other local businesses will not be so happy with GSMR being granted $45K/year as part of some politicians good idea program.