The link below, from a previous Interchange post, is a well-written piece on the Austin Steam Train Assn. What could easily have been a "Little Train That Couldn't" story (making the group look like overage adolescents who took their toy apart and now can't get it back together) instead came out showing their accomplishments and importance to the community. Well done!

http://www.austin360.com/statesman/editions/monday/news_3.html
ryarger@rypn.org

And from New Hampshire, here's one that couldn't be much worse.. This reporter probably couldn't make us all look more like idiots if he/she tried. A good reason to write your own material.

http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_show.html?article=16581
ryarger@rypn.org

A valuable lesson here. The press is not your friend. They are looking for a good story. It does not matter to them whether you are a villian or a hero. Be careful what you tell a reporter. Comments like "big Lionel set" WILL come back to haunt you!

Erie Lackawanna Dining Car Preservation Society
tstuy@eldcps.org

Remember, G. Wayne and I earn our living off ink by the barrel and newsprint by the ton! We'll come getcha!

... Seriously, though, most of "the press" is, alas, no better educated than the general public about railroads, track, switches, RDCs, steam, etc. I encouarge you or anybody out there involved in railway preservation to develop a relationship with your local reporters, whether they be good or bad in quality, and educate them about what you're doing. And you might want to poke around and see if there aren't a few out there, who do know what a self guarding frog is.

http://nctrans.org
Wrinnbo@aol.com

Jim,

No offense meant. I just wanted to point out that just because we think our projects, operations, museums, etc. are "good" doesn't mean that you are seen that way by outsiders.

You are correct, building a relationship with the press is important. But in this case in New Hampshire the guy should have thought twice before making some of his comments to the press.

Erie Lackawanna Dining Car Preservation Society
tstuy@eldcps.org

Indeed, Tim, you are correct.

We once had a copyeditor at The Observer named Fred Vultee who noted that anything that could be read incorrectly by readers (ie, in a perverted sense) would be done so despite your best efforts.

I like to think that the same sort of rule that applies to locker room talk also applies to statements made to your local neighborhood scribes: Choose your words carefully so that your remarks ring clear and without the sound of a fool. If you're in friendly company and someone you know and who knows you and your words, the threshold is different than it is when you're amongst complete strangers.



http://nctrans.org
Wrinnbo@aol.com

Jim: You are right on the mark ... one extra step however is the spin the reporters boss wants to place on the article. If they a actually interested you can get what you want into the article, if they are against you they can have the writer really hammer you and you won't recognize what you have said. This is basically why companies have press releases and define who can or cannot talk to the press. There are very few people (ask Mr. Lott) who can conduct an interview and either blow it completely or speak in unrecognized jargon. If you have a mission statement, a set of by-laws, a collection plan, an operating plans why not include press releases in your contacts with the outside world. We have successfully frustrated reporters seeking the sensational by referring them to an official spokesman!


lamontdc@adelphia.net

It might be noted that the "bad" story above is from the Manchester Union Leader. I haven't seen the paper in some time, but some years ago when William Loeb was its boss, it was conservative to the extreme. Loeb railed wildly against Nelson Blount's plan to donate his locomotive collection to the State of New Hampshire in exchange for construction of a site for Steamtown, painting it as a rich man trying to get taxpayers to finance his expensive hobby. The politicians who had approved Blount's plan were voted out of office because of the editorials and those who replaced them dared not to challenge the mighty William Loeb. Blount ended up moving to Vermont, where the political scene was not so scary.

Steamtown story
ryarger@rypn.org

> It might be noted that the "bad"
> story above is from the Manchester Union
> Leader. I haven't seen the paper in some
> time, but some years ago when William Loeb
> was its boss, it was conservative to the
> extreme. Loeb railed wildly against Nelson
> Blount's plan to donate his locomotive
> collection to the State of New Hampshire in
> exchange for construction of a site for
> Steamtown, painting it as a rich man trying
> to get taxpayers to finance his expensive
> hobby. The politicians who had approved
> Blount's plan were voted out of office
> because of the editorials and those who
> replaced them dared not to challenge the
> mighty William Loeb. Blount ended up moving
> to Vermont, where the political scene was
> not so scary.
Bob, The days of the Union Leader that you knew are gone with the Loebs. The paper is now still the only state-wide daily, but has lost most of it's former visciousness and is losing influence as the state becomes more urban and better educated. That said, I didn't think the piece was especially harsh although I agree that Stuart did come in for a few knocks.
Stuart Draper is a long time selectman and businessman in Wilton and is well respected in the community. I think he will have the drawback of dealing in an out-of-the way area for tourists. Wilton doesn't have many other attractions in the area to help out. The line is scenic, but not wildly so and the use of RDCs, while undoubtedly sensible, probably wouldn't thrill the average railfan.


wrj494@aol.com