I recently developed a simple MS Access database for tracking the preservation status of our collection. (Collections is not my area, but it sounded like fun.) I have grouped our collection into 9 stages of restoration. Here are my divisions and definitions. I am not that happy with them. Can we collectively develop a standard of stages?

Decaying- Exposed completely to the elements without sufficient coating or covering
Arrested Decay- Coated, covered or tarped or housed indoors
Partially Restored Inactive- Restoration has been underway but halted (Got any of those?)
Partially Restored In-Process- Work ongoing toward restoration
Restored Cosmetic- Minimum work completed to make displayable
Restored Static- Complete exterior & interior work but little or no mechanical
Operational- Operational but not too pretty
Restored Out-of-Service- Displayable but currently not yet operational
Restored Running- Completely operational and displayable

I think these catagories are sufficiently broad as to prevent micro-evaluation. We could probably come up with 30 divisions, but that might defeat the "at-a-glance" purpose. Mejor que nada! (Better than nothing!)
What are your impressions?


Orange Empire Railway Museum
wyld@oc-net.com

You forgot "restored/operable but not displayed", which describes several pieces out there such as Reading & Northern 425, some stored diesels, many private cars, etc.

lner4472@bcpl.net

> You forgot "restored/operable but not
> displayed", which describes several
> pieces out there such as Reading &
> Northern 425, some stored diesels, many
> private cars, etc.

I haven't considered whether actually displayed or not as that could change weekly or even daily. The purpose of the report is to give a snapshot of the status of a collection and verify over time if its condition is actually improving or losing ground.


wyld@oc-net.com

One other you might keep in mind is something used in ghost town preservation and that is "suspended decay"--the object may look like hell but it will not deteriorate beyond the set point you are at.
No this really shouldn't apply to railroad equipment, but I might have a fun time convincing a collection owner(state agency)of this.

Michael Seitz
Missoula MT

mikefrommontana@juno.com