Certainly can't argue that MTA, like all public agencies, is subject to public scrutiny. While the open house is a great time, it's definitely an "extra" that simply can't happen when the funding isn't available.
However, if and when financial conditions allow the open houses to return, I'd still be happy with a scaled-back open house. For example, a significant chunk of expense could be saved by eliminating the foliage excursions. If people really want to ride north to see the changing leaves, they can buy a ticket and go on their own.
I understand that a lot of money is also spent on giveaways, like whistles, pens, pencils, frisbees, and the like. Don't give anything out. The time and effort it takes to put on the open house should be enough. I'll admit, I love free stuff as much as the next guy, but it's not "the" reason to attend the open house. I go because I like to see the trains, including the older ones, up-close. This will sound silly because I've since learned what a complete disaster the SPV-2000 trains were, but as a kid, they were among the first trains I ever rode, so it was always nice to see them in the yard.
It's cool to see the exhibit that demonstrates how block signaling works. It's nice to walk the sunken floors of the shop, looking UP at the trains from an angle you usually don't have the chance to see. And as someone else mentioned, it's neat to see "oddities" like the snowblower. Best of all, the Open House is almost like a one-day history lesson of Metro-North, as they usually have on display at least one car and one locomotive of every type used since MNR was formed. Sure, Wikipedia makes it possible to look up a lot of the stats and see pictures anytime, but there's nothing quite like being there and seeing it all in one room, in person. And I dare not forget the demonstrations on skilled crafts like wheel-truing, a good reminder of the ongoing maintenance that's required to keep the fleet in good operating condition.
Long story short, even if many "extras" are cut out if/when the Open House returns, I would still be very appreciative of the opportunity, and I'm sure many railfans would agree. But I certainly understand that, even without the "extras," it's still a massive undertaking and it may be a long time before it happens again... IF it happens again. I'm glad I was able to get to the last one, and I was able to go a few years before that... I certainly won't forget them.
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