Not exactly national news, but a surprise upset in Maryland state politics with RR preservation overtones: Speaker of the House Caspar Taylor (D) was upset in yesterday's elections by a Republican challenger.

Taylor was a major patron of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, which has a coach named for him. His close involvement led to millions in state funding for the line over the past decade, and generated some controversy about alleged "sweetheart" deals for Taylor associates in some WMSRR-related financial maneuverings.

eledbetter@rypn.org

>A similar thing happened in PA a few years ago when Rep. Joe McDade, facing health problems, chose not to seek a 17th? term in the Congress.

Mcdade-as most here know-was the "father" of Steamtown- he's still widely respected and in past elections supported his partys nominee. This time, Don Sherwood ran unapposed.

That having been said-while its nice to have a friend in a high place, ultimately it can be problematic if your friend becomes damaged politically. Eventually everybody (even Strom Thurmond-who began his career campaigning to CIVIL WAR vets) will leave the stage.

Ultimately, if Steamtown, WMSRR and any other operations that have benefited by virtue of well placed friends learn to exploit their intrinsic value, rather than relying on their political connections, they'll enjoy better long term prospects.

This is not unprecedented. In the early 80's PBS had largely open access to the public treasury. As a result, they spent effort courting politicians' support. Programming was largely droning talking heads and recycled British melodramas. They had an attitude that they had superior programming-and courted an elitist mentality.

When the leash was put on-they kicked and screamed and spoke in apocolyptic tones-but ultimately the survival instinct kicked in. I remember the debate-and the change-the local station had a Hitchcock film festival in 1982 and I was introduced to a true genius.

Today, PBS is still publicly funded, still has a political agenda-but forced to appeal to the viewership. Its programming is better for it.

In the same way, Steamtown is experiencing those growing pains-needing to reach out-develop constituencies and partners.

There's no doubt that given the nature of the costs involved in running a train and the fact that few in the RR preservation community are "well-heeled" or savvy enough with fund raising, the political lottery, especially for initial funding is appealing-in the long run though we must learn to market ourselves and appeal to mass audiences.



superheater@beer.com

> Here in PA, a local Congression race may have some impact on a nascent preservation project that has more than a peripheral RR aspect to it.

The Huber Breaker, only of 2 anthracite breakers now standing (Locust Summit went down a few weeks ago) has a small, dedicated group of folks trying to use it as a museum to tell the story of Anthracite's impact on the region, nation in the world.

U.S. Rep Paul Kanjorski (D-11) defeated Republican challenger Lou Barletta. Barletta had spoken to the group and encouraged their efforts, stating in his appearance that the region needed to stop running away from its coal and industrial heritage. Kanjorski, who publically stated the project was not a "priority" has been reported to be somewhere between indifferent and adamantly opposed to the product.

This is the downside of political influence over preservation, like the flip side of the coin. Fortunately, the Huber enjoys the support of some state and local politicians and the project isn't seeking federal support-but in some parts of the country-if your local federal congressman wants something killed-state and local guys will follow suit.



superheater@beer.com

It's really something in the course of rail preservation when you run across the power of politics. In my involvement I have seen the effect of favors called in as high as Washington, DC to stop a project. I have seen people fired for following their conscience and not stopping a project. I have seen wishy-washy politicians trying to play both sides and ending up losing the next election. I have seen newspaper editors distort facts because they were against the project. I have seen data falsified to condemn sound approved structures. I have seen hi-powered lawyers in Federal Court browbeat professional experts. I have seen the influence of the local power people and the effect on local, state and federal officials. I have been personally branded a Scoundrel bellying up to the public trough in a local paper.

And you know what, most of the folks involved in the above are no longer in a position of power and in most cases have not improved their positions, yet the project is still there. A lot of money was spent in the fight putting the project about eight years behind schedule, but the project is still there with the same potential and slowly growing.

My advice; pay your bills and avoid politicians!
PS: I voted Tuesday

lamontdc@adelphia.net