I know we have beaten up this subject pretty good. However, I have one last perspective to add before I left the subject rest. (I did not start this topic to begin with.)

Let us suppose the proposed National Rail Preservation Database has been done, and is completed. My question is, who would or would not acquire it?

Most importantly, what would be a must for such a database. Specifically;

1. Must it be free? If not, for how much?
2. Must it have certain features?
3. Must it work in particular way? For example, would you demand it be accessed through the internet, or on CD-ROM, or work on a particular type of computer (such as Macintosh).
4. Must it have a particular name or organization behind it?

I believe THESE are the main questions. Actually, I am afraid #1 is THE question, and I think I know what the answer is.

As one who is already providing such a product/service, I have seen no sales since this topic was started, not even by the participants. I am fully aware that Wes Barris offers a similiar service for free with his website; but what if the National Rail Preservation Database was placed online for free by someone after it was released? If Mr. Conrad took the time to update his directory, how many would purchase it?

Please, please forgive me if I am sounding negative. But as someone mentioned before, this is the real reason why it seems fruitless to even discuss this topic. And frankly, I find it frustrating, if not repulsive, if a project like this could not support itself in the preservation community through free enterprise (read SALES.)

I understand the support the need for donations and grants for large restoration projects such as a steam locomotive or depot. But to ask individuals or groups to support a low-cost project as this does not sound unreasonable to me. Furthermore, why take time and funding from restoration projects for a project like this when no one thinks it is worth paying for when it is finished?

If I am missing something, please education me. I have already painted a bulls eye on my chest, please fire away. I hope individuals and/or groups who are seriously looking at this project can learn something useful from this discussion. I think all the other issues (technical, what fields, private ownership, scope of project, etc.) can be resolved from past attempts. And with other CDs being developed or considered, I think this must be seriously addressed. (My sales have been far less than the 200 predicted for the steam locomotive technical CD-ROM, even though the potential audience for an interactive database is much wider.)

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a

Surviving World Steam Locomotives
james1@pernet.net

> I know we have beaten up this subject pretty
> good. However, I have one last perspective
> to add before I left the subject rest. (I
> did not start this topic to begin with.)

> Let us suppose the proposed National Rail
> Preservation Database has been done, and is
> completed. My question is, who would or
> would not acquire it?

> Most importantly, what would be a must for
> such a database. Specifically;

> 1. Must it be free? If not, for how much?
> 2. Must it have certain features?
> 3. Must it work in particular way? For
> example, would you demand it be accessed
> through the internet, or on CD-ROM, or work
> on a particular type of computer (such as
> Macintosh).
> 4. Must it have a particular name or
> organization behind it?

> I believe THESE are the main questions.
> Actually, I am afraid #1 is THE question,
> and I think I know what the answer is.

> As one who is already providing such a
> product/service, I have seen no sales since
> this topic was started, not even by the
> participants. I am fully aware that Wes
> Barris offers a similiar service for free
> with his website; but what if the National
> Rail Preservation Database was placed online
> for free by someone after it was released?
> If Mr. Conrad took the time to update his
> directory, how many would purchase it?

> Please, please forgive me if I am sounding
> negative. But as someone mentioned before,
> this is the real reason why it seems
> fruitless to even discuss this topic. And
> frankly, I find it frustrating, if not
> repulsive, if a project like this could not
> support itself in the preservation community
> through free enterprise (read SALES.)

> I understand the support the need for
> donations and grants for large restoration
> projects such as a steam locomotive or
> depot. But to ask individuals or groups to
> support a low-cost project as this does not
> sound unreasonable to me. Furthermore, why
> take time and funding from restoration
> projects for a project like this when no one
> thinks it is worth paying for when it is
> finished?

> If I am missing something, please education
> me. I have already painted a bulls eye on my
> chest, please fire away. I hope individuals
> and/or groups who are seriously looking at
> this project can learn something useful from
> this discussion. I think all the other
> issues (technical, what fields, private
> ownership, scope of project, etc.) can be
> resolved from past attempts. And with other
> CDs being developed or considered, I think
> this must be seriously addressed. (My sales
> have been far less than the 200 predicted
> for the steam locomotive technical CD-ROM,
> even though the potential audience for an
> interactive database is much wider.)

> -James Hefner
> Hebrews 10:20a

Mr. Hefner: I won't try to answer all of your questions. When I first commented on this idea, I stated that there should be an updated book (or volumes) as David Conrad previously put out on Steam Locomotives and ADDITIONAL volumes on existing Depots, Freight cars, passenger cars, etc. You, and others, have suggested the format be the internet. I have no quarrel with that EXCEPT that I believe BOOKS on the subject must be published. Why books? First, even today when I have a question on preserved steam, I turn to Dave Conrads volumes (my one great regret is that I got the softback instead of the hardback copies.) It's not that I couldn't find the information on your website Mr. Hefner or elsewhere on the internet, but I look at Conrad's volumes FIRST! It's right there! And most of the time, the info I'm looking for is in those pages. Secondly, the internet is not infallible. Someone expressed a concern about opening something up just a few days ago. Not sure what the problem was there but I know that there are times when I cannot get into my computer for one reason or the other. Much better the printed word. Finally, railroad preservationists, enthusiasts, modellers, historians, etc. collect BOOKS! Books may not make the authors much money (if anything) but there is SOME profit there. And people have their libraries. IMO (and only in mine), I believe that books on the subject are the way to go and THEN, the internet for updates.

I hope this is NOT the end of the discussion but only the beginning. I think that this is something that needs to be done for ALL of the reasons that people have brought up. I am not sure exactly what has to be done, or what standards have to be met, only that we should agree on standards and that we should find some way to get this done. If it takes some type of a committee to discuss it, then sign me up!

Les Beckman (Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum/North Judson, IN)

midlandblb@cs.com