Jack, I was hoping you'd chime in on this discussion and mention the L&WV and am glad you did.You've highlighted some of the unique factors of the RR owning a good portion of the RR line along with the property on the south end wich is a big plus alone with having a operation and you've also brought up some of the points with the group where there is problems.

I'm going to also ad a few things,but to begin with the L&WV for me was the greatest thing close to home where i could get away on the weekend where i met some very good friends,and had some very good times there.It was a place where i could learn about railroading in general,do work on the track,equipment ect.I actually looked forward to every Saturday after a boring work week just to go up there.I put many,many,many hours over the years there volunteering.I joined in the late 70's briefly for a year or two,then i returned about 1985 and stayed until about 2000.I would still go up there now if some things would only change there.

I'm not going to bash the L&WV but i think that some problems really need to be worked out to draw more volunteers.Yes there are a few there with caustic or abrasive attitudes.First you have to make volunteers feel welcome not run them off and make them feel unwanted,praise there work once and awhile,a word of thank's ocasionally does wonders after a long work day,you have to remember volunteers are not on the payroll they work for free because they enjoy it.2nd i noticed many a RR buff get run off just because they stopped by to see what's going on,take pictures or unknowingly walked over to the north side of Rt.18 wich was "off limits" just to take pictures of equipment.

These are the people that could be your new best friend and new volunteers.I'm going to bring up one incident where a well known photographer and author of several books stopped by unannounced one day to photograph the 2 C&O cabooses.He was run off by one of the individuals with the caustic attitude.He later sent a letter to one of the caboose owners,and i personally read the letter.He explained that he had been treated better by class 1 railroads when on their property! Maybe he should have called the L&WV up first and asked for an appointment?


Also just because one motor car incident many years ago where some uninvited individuals took a joy ride,derailed then took photo's of one of the guy's laying on the ground with a drunken look next to the speeder with a 6 or 12 pack nearby,and yes i remember and saw the picture! Mr.caustic went wild over that !!! That incident shouldn't have a ban on all motor cars wanting to come to the L&WV to do work then ride ther motorcars on a weekend.To allow that could bring more volunteer help and even raise money.

There's another thing that always amazed me about the L&WV with the caustic attitude person trying to run it like it was a class 1 railroad.The L&WV will never be a class 1 railroad,if he wants to see what a class one RR is all about he should come work for the NS.He would be the ideal trainmaster and probably climb his way to the top!

I myself get my fill on the NS just being a engineer.Sure i like the job,but it gets awful challenging and aggrevating now a days.I sure don't want to go up to Wellington on my off day's to get away and feel like i'm still at work.I also believe the group has a inner core problem trying to run things.I could bring some things up but will not do so at this time.You should really consider working with the county park board as they might be quite helpful and they have alot of clout in Lorain County.

Since i've left the L&WV in the little spare time i have when not working for NS or on my own backyard RR projects i'm a trustee with FRTTI the Huron County rail trail group of whom we manage the Huron County portion of the trail wich the LCMPD/ Lorain County Metroparks is one of the major owners.Sure i'd rather see rail on the old LS&MS/NYC Norwalk Branch but that unfortunatel wasn't ment to be.I've now focused on trying to preserve the rail lines history in the county.Recently LCMPD bought the old Monroeville NYC depot and we/FRTTI are working at restoring it back to it's 1919 appearnce when the evaluation photo's were taken of the line.It will be our new trail headquarters,meeting place and mini museum of the rail lines past.We have 2 work day's a month,one on the first Sat.and the second one on the 3rd Sunday of each month.I've been a member for about 4 years and don't get aggrevated at all.Everyone gets along,we have a good time,there are no secrets,as everything is out in the open.Our financial report is read at each monthly meeting.We have fundraising,get donations occasionally,all in all it's been a good group to belong to.I do miss the rails on the rail line that are now gone but even as a trail were trying to preserve history.

I wish the L&WV the best of luck,hopefully problems will be worked out.It's come a long way so far but has also taken so long to get where it's at.

Fritz

As a member of the Hocking Valley Scenic Railroad I can cay that the Railroad is doing very well. We had an increase of riders in 2009. Which was over 35,00 people. Over the winter months we h ave been doing restoration on the cars. More track and tie work is due this spring. Last year the coaling tower was taken down. The Y had new switches put in at the mainline. Security fence has been put up. EMD GP-7 5833 is now 58 years old. Go to our web site The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway and learn more.

Going back to the original question, I don't think there is any Ohio "jinx". When I lived there (a long time ago) there were a few organizations that were notably "weak" in attendance, donations, and support. Over the years some have fallen out, as might be expected. But the state also has a number of very excellent organizations that seem to be doing quite well, as has been pointed out in other postings.

One thing I did notice though, the weak groups tended to be insulated from the public and lacked effective promotion of their events and their existence. In a good economy you might be able get along that way for a while, in a bad economy it takes its toll very quickly.

This isn't just going to be an Ohio problem this year. All the groups in my area (Northeast) tell me they are now having increasing difficulty getting people to participate and donate.

PC

Well speaking of the L&WV, my father and I have talked about becoming members for quite a few years now but for one reason or another it's just never happened. Recently, I was thinking about just joining myself but after reading posts on various message boards, it doesn't seem like they're a very friendly group. It's unfortunate that that aura is out there about them but as a perspective new volunteer/member that's already how I feel about them. I've never volunteered for a group before and if they're not going to be nice to people while they try to learn the ropes then they're not going to get many new members. Maybe some of what I'm reading it all by the same person and to really know how the group is I should just join, I don't know. I was also surprised they didn't run a train during the threshing show this past fall which kinda made us wonder if the organization was having troubles.

Also, one thing my dad has brought up a few times is that to become a member you have to join at the beginning of the year if you want to receive the full benefit. I'm sure that by having the membership expire at the beginning of the year is easier on the accounting side of things but that really discourages perspective members from joining anytime after the spring.

Slightly deviating from that, I've done a bit of webwork before if needed could help with the website.

Brian D.
Amherst, Oh