Keep in mind that this is the Smithsonian&#039;s tractor.  This is a not your neighbor&#039;s farm tractor and the Smithsonian is not going to let just anyone haul their artifacts.  There was a lot of paperwork that had to be done in order to even move that tractor including a background check of the trucking company.  The Smithsonian decides who hauls the tractor, when, where and how and they also pay the bill.  This is what apparently has not been fully explained to the HPOCA members.  The HPOCA is merely acting as the bank for the Smithsonian&#039;s money.  No organization is allowed to profit financially off of the Smithsonian.  The toy concept was our way of funding the restoration.  Yes, the HPOCA did fund the building of the toy.  But when all of the toys are sold, the HPOCA has recooped all of its cost of the toy and there is approximately $34,000 left over.  That $34,000 profit more than covers the cost of the No. 3 project.  There will probably even be $4,000 surplus, depending on final shipping cost to buyers.  Since we are not allowed to profit off this toy, the balance has to be returned to the Smithsonian or given to I&amp;amp;I for further care of No. 3.

Yes, a load of freight could have been hauled cheaper, but this was not your typical frieght.  Once all the toys are sold, this will not cost the HPOCA one cent and Schaefer Trucking did not &amp;quot;profit&amp;quot; off this trip.  He would have made more money if he&#039;d have stayed home and hauled grain.