I would simply point to my Mills Violano with its solenoid operated
piano to disprove most of the assertions made in this posting.  It's
interesting, people like it, great efforts are made to restore them
and keep parts available and make new music.

It's not the motive power that drives interest or lack thereof.  The
number of solenoid pianos operating in all manner of public places
suggests that it's too late for them not to be successful.

Roger Wiegand
Wayland, Massachusetts, USA
http://www.carouselorgan.com/