RE: (erielack) Diners

["Michael Steinberg" <u34ch_@_bellatlantic.net>]

Charles,

Thank you for your continued support.

We were very surprised and disappointed when 470 was pulled out from under
our feet. However, I have been trying to start a dialog with AOE as you have
suggested since the car was bought. So far, I have had no luck, as I haven't
found a true "contact person" within AOE, but I will continue to try.

Most likely, AOE will convert the inside of the car to an ultra-luxury
setting... The good news is that the kitchen will be fully functional and
"legal"... Even better, the car would be at full Amtrak standards...
However, the bad news is that the dining area will probably be completely
rebuilt. But still, I want to keep dialog open on 470 for the future.

As for the insides, the former owner of the car has asked for the discarded
interior to be saved for us. I will be in St. Louis next week and will
follow up with Les Kasten regarding this. Hopefully we will be able to save
the 6 original tables inside the car.

On behalf of the board of directors of our organization, I want to apologize
for not keeping everyone completely up to date on what is happening. At this
point, there is so much information coming across our desks, to keep
everyone up to date would just confuse people. In addition, we want to keep
a slight level of confidentiality so the situation that happened with the
470 doesn't happen again.

We promise to keep everyone informed on any important details, and we hope
to open membership up to our organization soon.

Regards,
Michael Steinberg
President, Erie Lackawanna Diner Project
- -----Original Message-----
From: erielack-owner_@_lists.railfan.net
[mailto:erielack-owner_@_lists.railfan.net]On Behalf Of Charles Schneider
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2001 11:33 PM
To: EL LIST
Subject: (erielack) Diners


As a committed supporter of the 470 project, I thought I would just weigh in
and state that though I am disappointed that AOE got there first, I am happy
to support the preservation of whatever equipment from the EL or its
predecessor roads that we can find.  These days, as John Boehner said, the
mere fact that we can find any equipment at all that is not already in
museums or scrapyards from any railroad of the EL era is a miracle in
itself.  I am grateful that there are still preservation opportunites and
challenges out there.

Diner group people:  While moving forward in attempting to acquire another
diner, is there any chance that a dialogue with AOE could be started up?  I
mean try to work out a deal with them to acquire 470 when they are through
with it, and perhaps also work with them while they modify 470 for their
purposes so as to minimize irreversible alterations.  Would it be possible
at all for them to renovate 470 into something that works for them, while
still allowing a realistic possibility of its restoration as DL&W 470 at
some time in the future?  Any parts removed by them could be held by someone
until that day...
Just a thought.

Charles Schneider

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