It is both fun a frustrating to fantasize about such ideas. I had thought that such a combined Los Angeles Railroad Museum could be located at one of the former rail yards closer to the city center. A place that played an actual role in LA's rail history. My choices had been either Cornfield (a state historic park, and site of SP's first Los Angeles station) or Taylor (which until recently still had a number of shop buildings). Unfortunately, there is no impetus to do such a thing, and neither location is available. Like it or not, Travel Town is a city institution in its current location. Relocating the collection would cause an outcry from a public of parents that have been loving that place to death. The SCR&LHS collection at Fairplex would be extremely expensive to move, is isolated from live rails, and has no compelling reason to seek a new home.
It is important to remember that there are people currently working at both locations to care for these collections. It is easy to suggest some kind of grand vision when viewing these collections from a distance, but can this be done without offending their stewards? It also begs the question, "to what end?" Is there a better place to put these things? --A place where they will attract more visitors? --A place where it will allow the smaller stuff room to operate? Most importantly, how would such a museum sustain itself?
While I personally feel the Travel Town collection would be better served by a governance entity other than the department of Recreation and Parks, the site is prominently located in LA's premier park and is well visited. Unfortunately, it has been about 25 years since efforts began to restore and interpret the collection, and with all due respect to those that have been involved in this effort (including myself at one time), it is hard not be disappointed by the pace of the progress. Their biggest accomplishment has been the construction of a large open-sided display shed. Definitely a major step, but there is still much the city could do, especially in regards to both interpretation and caring for the remaining wooden pieces such as the 1881 UP caboose. The volunteers can only do so much.
I do not know much about the R&LHS chapter that owns and maintains the collection at Fairplex but they have done a very nice job of maintaining their impressive engines. Their location ensures a decent level of visitorship during the short duration of the fair, but I am concerned about the sustainability of their organization. Will they continue to attract enough new members to maintain those big engines? Will Fairplex do something if their appearance begins to deteriorate?
ATSF 3751 needs a home, but the current location appears to be working for the the SBRHS. It'd be great to show the engine to the public on a day to day basis, but for right now, it is easy to steam the engine to Union Station for special events, filming, and occasional excursions. They could be the ones to spearhead a Los Angeles railroad museum. They have been looking for a site, but I have not heard any details of their efforts. I would be interested in knowing if they ever talked with the state about trying to get a facility in a corner of the Cornfield State Historic Park or the Rio de Los Angeles Park at Taylor Yard. Perhaps they could work with some of the other groups to put together a synergistic proposal for a regional museum?
For a long time, people were suggesting the three main-line-oriented preservation groups in the Bay Area get together. At the time, all three were working simultaneously on restoring their own SP Pacific. It has been a bumpy road but two of them more or less have been together for a few years now. The third group is still looking for a location while continuing to reassemble their Pacific.
|
