Hi everyone--

This past Wednesday the Alexander Chapter-NRHS and the Newton(NC) Depot Authority officially launched the "Golden Spike Campaign" in order to try and raise $750,000 for the establishment of the Southeastern Narrow Gauge & Shortline Museum.

We have been working behind the scenes for the past 6 months quietly securing donations from a mix of private donations and grant proposals. We launched the campaign at a VIP luncheon that hosted 23 potential donors and were able to secure about $50,000...

With this, we are able to to start our drive with about $300,000 already raised.

This board has been very helpful to us in the proper restoration of our equipment and I would appreciate any comments, questions, and constructive criticism of our efforts, particularly as we navigate this particularly nasty economy.

Anyway, our official website is www.newtondepot.com

The website has history, roster, budget information, and the ability to donate via Paypal as well.

You can read more at

The Southeastern Narrow Gauge & Shortline Museum officially kicked off its fundraising campaign this past Wednesday...

www.newtondepot.com

Please check it out and support it. Roster pages are included, and you can donate conveniently via Paypal if you can!!

You can read more about it at:

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2011 ... r-1492752/

The article has the usual local newspaper "watering down", but overall is good publicity nevertheless.

Thanks for your input!

Matt Bumgarner
Alexander Chapter NRHS

Looking Good, Matt! The two boxcars you have already been working on show excellent workmanship - and almost unbelieveable improvement from when you received them!!! I can't wait to see them under the proposed shelter on dual gauge track! And seeing narrow gauge ET&WNC Motorcar #1 in operation again as a "mobile ambassador" will be wonderful - I can't wait to ride her!!!

Matt, It's great that you're kicking off a $750,000 campaign with $300,000 already raised. That says a good deal about the credibility of the project to potential donors. It's fantastic to see a fellow NRHS Chapter stepping up to the plate and building for the future, rather than devolving into another "Old F**t Slide Show Society". Keep up the good work,