Mike, I appreciate your openness to thinking outside of the box to resolve the problems facing both Edaville and MNG. We have all thought too long about Massachusetts vs. Maine when the history of two foot railroading involves both and one won't exist without the other.

My only comment is that, what you described as a show stopper for the possibility of a merger seems instead to be the reason why a merger would be a "win-win" situation for both operations. We are at a time when MNG needs a good home for its collection of two-foot railroading and Edaville is in need of new owners who understand railroading. As mentioned in an earlier post, there is room to consider a new operation made of a "not-for-profit" historical operation that could tap in grant funds and volunteer workers to protect and develop the two-foot museum collection plus a profit based public (tourist) attraction perhaps led by the current operators who have demonstrated real skill in their appeal to the public.

To be honest my only concern is the sale cost, considering the price of the operation at the bankruptcy sale and the significant property sales since then to Makepeace and for housing development. I have to admit I certainly know all the costs and investments that play into the asking price but I would hope that the chance of maintaining the legacies of Edaville and MNG would help the current owner consider any possible relief to the price so that a merger could be made.

The price of Edaville is cost prohibitive to MNG. While your thought is a good one, and one that crossed my mind as an ideal "perfect world" scenario, we couldn't come up with anything close to the asking price for Edaville.

That being said, if Edaville does see its 2011 season, I do believe there are enough of us currently at MNG that would be receptive to some collaboration.