PBenham wrote:Well, following the theft of both units builders plates (reproductions made by D&H/Colonie) and other items, their owner locked them in an enginehouse and swore he would never let them out again until that which was stolen is returned! And, he has kept his word. The selfish spoil things for everyone, except themselves, because they have no sense of shame or conscience.
Well this is the whole understanding of the Shark situation. It is my understanding that the Sharks aren't owned by The RR or John Larkin but by the a Private owner (Mr. John Kunzie (?) and his Castolite Corp.). In a 1986 Trains magazine article about the Escanaba and Lake Superior it stated that the E+LS had the capability and knowledge to fix the Sharks. As for John Larkin he actually was a Railfan before owning the RR and that he appreciated the significance of his RR's fleet but he was in the business of operating a RR not a Mueseum. It used to be that he didn't mind Railfans until there was a burglery at his RR's shops on New Years Day 198?. I don't know if anyone was caught but a number of Builders Plates, Manuals, Repair books, Tools, and other items were stolen. From what the article said the items were (mostly) only of use or interest to Railfans. Shortly after this signs were erected on the RR saying something to the Effect of " No Trespassing" "RAILFANS NOT WANTED" .
Simply put a few over-zealous Railfans ruined what could have been a great relationship between a RR and Railfans.
-Willie in Massachusetts
ArmyTrainman wrote: Well this is the whole understanding of the Shark situation. It is my understanding that the Sharks aren't owned by The RR or John Larkin but by the a Private owner (Mr. John Kunzie (?) and his Castolite Corp.). In a 1986 Trains magazine article about the Escanaba and Lake Superior it stated that the E+LS had the capability and knowledge to fix the Sharks. As for John Larkin he actually was a Railfan before owning the RR and that he appreciated the significance of his RR's fleet but he was in the business of operating a RR not a Mueseum. It used to be that he didn't mind Railfans until there was a burglery at his RR's shops on New Years Day 198?. I don't know if anyone was caught but a number of Builders Plates, Manuals, Repair books, Tools, and other items were stolen. From what the article said the items were (mostly) only of use or interest to Railfans. Shortly after this signs were erected on the RR saying something to the Effect of " No Trespassing" "RAILFANS NOT WANTED" . Simply put a few over-zealous Railfans ruined what could have been a great relationship between a RR and Railfans. -Willie in Massachusetts
Correct, except he does own them.
Mechanical Department "No no that's fine shove that 20 pound set all around the yard... those shoes aren't hell and a half to change..."
The Missabe Road: Safety First
Ye, As Coborn had stated, it is all correct. But He does own them and he won't let anyone near them except his employees. They sit in one of his 4 or 5 sheds out on the Escanaba and Lake Superior.
James
Ok, I am Glad I got an Update on the (true) Ownership of the Sharks. The 1984 article in TRAINS "The Elongated E+LS" at the time stated that the Sharks were not owned by the RR at that time but were owned by John Kunzie/Castolite.
When did the ownership change to the E+LS? I know when they first moved to E+LS they were stored there and were leased on occasion until the mechanical problems happened.
As for the Great Northern Colors on the E+LS they are a product of John Larkin liking that scheme and his childhood (as mentioned in the article).
The Sharks may not be out for all to see but we can be thankful they are safe.
We can thank Mr. Bruce Sterzing, Former President of the D+H who traded old Boxcars to (I have heard the Monogahela or the scrapper) for them, and to John Kunzie + Castolite for bringing them to Michigan (1st to the Michigan Northern then to the E+LS) and to John Larson for keeping them safe on the Escanaba + Lake Superior.
ArmyTrainman wrote: Ok, I am Glad I got an Update on the (true) Ownership of the Sharks. The 1984 article in TRAINS "The Elongated E+LS" at the time stated that the Sharks were not owned by the RR at that time but were owned by John Kunzie/Castolite. When did the ownership change to the E+LS? I know when they first moved to E+LS they were stored there and were leased on occasion until the mechanical problems happened. As for the Great Northern Colors on the E+LS they are a product of John Larkin liking that scheme and his childhood (as mentioned in the article).The Sharks may not be out for all to see but we can be thankful they are safe.We can thank Mr. Bruce Sterzing, Former President of the D+H who traded old Boxcars to (I have heard the Monogahela or the scrapper) for them, and to John Kunzie + Castolite for bringing them to Michigan (1st to the Michigan Northern then to the E+LS) and to John Larson for keeping them safe on the Escanaba + Lake Superior.
Larkin