Well it is an easy decision for me; how about you? $200,000 is up for grabs.

The American Express members project is underway for this year. Somehow the Rails to Trails Conservancy has got themselves listed as "Arts and Culture" and they are leading the votes in that category (as of 19 March) with 38%. Close behind at 31% is the National Trust for Historic Preservation, who is a partner in the Save America's Treasures initiative and is the leading lobby group for historic preservation in this country. Many of you may not be aware that the success of the National Trust has a direct impact on the success of railroad preservation, especially involving structures such as train stations.

Please consider participating. You can sign up here: http://my.preservationnation.org/site/R?i=4Bu5ImjEuX6V-myOQ500aw.. You just need to register a user name the first time you vote.

You can vote once a week until May 23.

--Richard

We applied to be one of the candidates and got rejected. I was surprised as we had competed the last two years.

Dear Preservationists:

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is leading the vote count but there are two months of voting to go. Remember, you can vote once a week: http://www.takepart.com/membersproject/vote

The other causes I am sure are good too but historic preservation is chronically underfunded. Support for the National Trust translates into support for historic railroad structures too.

In second place is Rails to Trails, a worthy cause too, but I believe that the National Trust for Historic Preservation brings the most benefit to railroad preservation.

Thanks for voting!

--Richard