New water tank under construction at Laws, California, replacing the one that collapsed recently. The new tank is smaller than the original and made of 2x4s, so could not hold water. Many, including the site's caretaker, are upset, considering the effort a waste of time and money to create something unauthentic. To view this link, you have to register on the spng Yahoo site:http://f6.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/gCrHQnOT8WMSnvZTCEYOJjT5N1A0efZCP6PlI8XBj9prfMMlmYJX8PSB3tuTW8-rhnMPI5WqWq4WEwjm-k-N8BZcjorQ7A/New%20Laws%20Tank/tank%203.jpg

I have been watching this from a distance…The Laws museum is has aspects of both a depot railroad museum (with a significant equipment collection) and a “Historic Village” element.The museum is located in a remote area, with a limited population (and a limited group of volunteers)There appears to be a local board, more interested in a village than the railroad, with what appears to “sloppy” governance. They have been the recipients of several grants, some significant, in part because they are the only significant organization in the area.The water tank fell down due to age. Like many original features it had been previously identified as needing work, but the needs outstripped the resources.The tank is being “rebuilt” with little concern for its historic configuration by a volunteer. It is not clear if this is a single volunteer without supervision or other leadership or by board policy. Like so many of our railroad relics the SPng has an international following, many of which are remote from the site, and therefore unable to volunteer. (I among them) This does not stop the enthusiast from commenting. In this case the rebuild appears to be of dubious quality or historic value, and may be in violation of Historic Preservation guidelines and grant policies. Of course, where are the resources to preserve what we have, (and love). What are the limits to local control (its their stuff afterall) if they don't respect "our" treasures.