Many of you are probably familiar with the Reading Company Historical & Technical Society (RCH&TS). The society is a non-profit, all volunteer group that has been in the process of securing a site with the long-range goal of building a self-sustaining museum and interpretive center for its extensive 60+ piece Reading Co. equipment and artifact collection.

To better describe the society and it's goals, they've prepared a strategic plan which can be read in pdf format at http://www.readingrailroad.org/longrange.htm. There are currently two sites under consideration, both would have access to the Reading & Northern mainline, which would allow us the option or running excursion trains at some point. Unfortunately, no shop facilities or other out buildings exist at either site. This would be a "from the ground up" project.

We face the possibility of over-saturation in the market as a number of other major rail-related attractions including, Steamtown, Strasburg, Railroad Museum of PA, NJ Museum of Transportation are all within a two hour travel radius of the proposed RCH&TS museum. To help make our museum experience a little more unique, the theme of "the Reading Railroad shaped communities" has been adopted. This brings me to my questions and your welcomed input:

1. What theme or planning ideas would you suggest so as to not necessarily duplicate the same visitor experience as Steamtown, Strasburg, RMPA, Altoona, etc.? Should we consider the broader themes of a scaled-down regional transportation museum, complete with cars, buses, planes, etc. or a period reconstruction of typical small town the Reading served? Any specific ideas for interpretive/interactive exhibits?

2. Any recommendations for architecture/engineering firms (preferably in the northeast) with experience in museum design/construction/interpretive exhibits?

3. Any sources as to where we can apply for a planning grant to help us start putting together rough sketches/concepts for the museum along with hard costs of each phase of construction? We've been doing research into grant monies and will be sending out applications when the time comes. For now, we need funding to help put together the "grand plan."

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as this is a huge project that's going to take the cooperation and hard work of many. We want to do it right so we ultimately end up with a world-class museum that not only exhibits locomotives/rolling stock, but leaves the visitor with an interpretive, entertaining and nostalgic railroading experience that will help to ensure the museum's long-term survival.

Please feel free to contact me by email: mshirk@DELETEix.netcom.com

Thanks, Mike Shirk

mshirk@DELETEix.netcom.com

> Many of you are probably familiar with the
> Reading Company Historical & Technical
> Society (RCH&TS).
> mshirk@DELETEix.netcom.com

The correct name of the organization is:
Reading Company Technical And Historical Society, Inc. or R.C.T.& H.S.

It was established in late 1975, when the handwriting was on the wall for the Conrail take-over of the Reading Railroad.
We were officially chartered in 1976, and we'll be celebrating the 25th Anniversary this October.

Probably our most ambitious project in those 25 years was when we brought Reading T-1 #2102 home from South Brownsville, PA in August 1985, under her own steam, on Conrail mainlines. We then operated 4 "Iron Horse Rambles" on former Reading lines that September. This was before the B.M. & R. was involved.

Conrail management was kind to our efforts. Besides allowing the excursions, they donated or sold at scrap-value many of the pieces of equipment in our collection.

Those attending the ALCO festivities at the DL RR in Scranton this August will see our Century 630 in action. No. 5308 was purchased from the Chrome Locomotive Co. after a massive fund-raiser, and was restored and made operational by our own society volunteers.

Steve Gilbert, six-term past president.