> Is there some magic potion you can prescribe
> that can be used to convince
> "experts" that some sort of
> storage is essential to preservation or dumb
> things like moving equipment to maintain oil
> on the journals, or running equipment to
> keep oil in the works and gaskets from
> drying out etc.etc.etc.

I wish there was other than maybe brake clubs or switch irons.

Try to get these priorities written into your policies and proceedures, eliminate popularly elected management and hire a manager who has the authority to enforce them on the members with the constant backing of the board whether or not they agree. Insist that those "in charge"of various projects are qualified for that position by outsiders in the business with no personal or fiscal interest. If none of your guys qualify, don't do the job or hire truly qualified leaders.

In other words, make it professional not personal.

Dave


irondave@bellsouth.net

I have been to a lot of rail museums and it seems to me that the ones who have a theme and stick to it are among the best. RR Museum of PA does that state and just a few nearby items. The same in Sacramento.

Colorado RR Museum does that region and especially its narrow gauge.

Shoreline Trolley Museum does New York City and Connecticut street cars.

Mid Continent does Mid-West Short Lines and what a collection of wood cars.

Following the European model of the National Museum, is the Seashore Trolley Museum and the Illinois Railway Museum having equipment from all over; but they are the exception to the rule of regional museums in the United States.

Any collection will have an example of something that is the exception, but make sure it is the last or best or something really special! not just another one of those..... cars.

Thanks for a great thread! TM

ted_miles@NPS.gov

This thread has reminded me of a presention I made at XYZ (Name witheld on purpose), and I can't quote the numbers, but I figured out the cost per loco paint job, extimated time it would last unprotected, then length of time it would last protected and the savings very much justified putting restored equipment under cover. Plus I figured in the labor time, and how much that freed labor (volunteers) up to do other restoration/interpretation/operation work.
XYZ still needs roofs, and most of the Directors I presented that to aren't there now. RATS!
If I ever win the lottery, I know one project I'm a gonna do!
Steamcerely,
David D.

djdewey@cncnet.com

Dave-

In our situtation, we will have both. Our combine will be an outdoor display, but (and I know that there are very valid arguments that there is no way to completely keep up on this) we
intend to to keep a constant eye out in terms of maintenance and upkeep of the car. In addition, the car has a built in "repair and Upkeep) fund that it separate from any of our other functions, with the exception of our other piece of rail equipment, the D.B. Harrington (1878 Porter 2-4-0)

On keeping things under wraps: ever since Henry Ford Museum transferred the D.B. to our care (she was built as Port Huron & Northwestern #1, forerunner to PM) she has been under a "greenhouse" like enclosure, which also allows us to control the climate she's in to a good degree; the down side is that I have been lambasted by so-called railfans who demand to see it outside on display. Like any museum, we have priorities, and the D.B. is rather far down the list currently. We are hoping to make some real efforts toward her restoration this year, but until then she's under wraps.

TJG
> I wish there was other than maybe brake
> clubs or switch irons.

> Try to get these priorities written into
> your policies and proceedures, eliminate
> popularly elected management and hire a
> manager who has the authority to enforce
> them on the members with the constant
> backing of the board whether or not they
> agree. Insist that those "in
> charge"of various projects are
> qualified for that position by outsiders in
> the business with no personal or fiscal
> interest. If none of your guys qualify,
> don't do the job or hire truly qualified
> leaders.

> In other words, make it professional not
> personal.

> Dave


Port Huron Museum
tjgaffney@phmuseum.org