Hello Richard,
A open sided pole barn would be the cheapest route. The bigest expense would be the roofing and prep & paint materials for the locomotives themselves.
we are talking about stopping or slowing down corrosion rather than replacing metal - that can come later.
What we have found out is if it looks appreciated then usually there is little vandalisim. Most people who visit the locomotives want to go there
and appreciate what they are seeing. That doesn't mean there are not idiots - any thing is possible.
As for funding - its surprising how these locomotive attract support. During our work ties, crushed stone and many other items were donated. We also
worked it out with the Bureau of Parks & Lands so we would provide manpower, engineering and special equipment, they would supply housing, food and
logistic support.
The original estimate was close to $500,000.00 to hire contractors to perform the work. The final cost of the project to the State of Maine was about $32,000.00
Again, it takes some one with the time an energy to organize and push it. Unfortunatly I am not in a position to do that anymore. But... hopefully, once I get
settled into the new carrier that my change.
This past fall a group rebuilt a section of the Tramway - again most of the materail was donated and the volunteers provided the manpower.