The great thing about John is that he's not just an Administrator, he's also the place's biggest fan. His enthusiasm has really done great things for that railroad. When I first started going out there nearly a dozen years ago, most of the news I heard about the place was downbeat....revenues, ridership, etc. I remember being there when they had 2 operable locomotives, one of which was limping along with leaking flues etc. Since John has taken the reins, its the polar opposite. The infrastructure, the rolling stock, the ridership, and the revenues have all been steadily improving. Photographers now complain that the track looks too GOOD for re-enactment photos (you know, "through the weeds, not around them."
Although I suspect he could retire now, I really hope he sticks around a while longer. The holy grail will be seeing OY clearing the pass again. I know that's on his bucket list.
/Kevin Madore
