> "What if nobody cares one day."

> Quite a few people--the general public--have
> forgotten what these machines were for, what
> they did to make the nation and their own
> communities great and why they're important
> to preserve and protect today.

> I'm hopeful that historical groups scattered
> about the country, regional museums and
> others everywhere will take a cue from this
> and redouble efforts to educate the masses
> about our railway heritage.

Alot of good points are made in this thread.

Perhaps the National board of the N.R.H.S. could spear-head the project to organize a national effort to save endangered city-park engines, as suggested by James Hefner.

What we really need ( Railroad Preservationism in the U.S. ) is a major up-grade of awareness on the part of the American general public.

Here in READING country, we (several organizations) have been active for over 20 years, yet except for the occasional news item or photo in the local newspapers, the public seems oblivious. I've heard that same "I didn't know this was even here" many times.

Anyone out there reading this, with a connection to or contact with the Discovery Channel, or the History Channel ? Does Barbara Walters like trains ?

Ever since the big TITANIC movie a few years back, we have been flooded (pun intended) with programs, on those channels and others, about sunken ships. Fun stuff, too, but-

We need a good prime-time cable or network feature telling our story on a national level. Show the plight of these derelict city-park steamers, and the efforts so many of us are making to preserve this stuff. (the entire RR museum effort, not just steam engines)

We need to inform Joe Public that we're doing this to save a part of our national heritage, not a bunch of "train nuts" with nothing better to do. With more public awareness, we may see bigger grants and more tax dollars / tax-deductible donations to back our efforts.

We need to overhaul and boost our image -in a TITANIC way. ANY SUGGESTIONS ?

By the way, we never had the chance to worry about the future of the endangered city-park steamer here in Reading, PA -because we never had one. The city struck out ---that's right, three strikes! --- at having one donated. The last engine built in the Reading Shops: G-3 #219, and the last steamer the Reading Company owned: T-1 #2100 was lost twice by the city.
2100 survives, 219 became razor blades in the late 1950's.

We have Thomas. He may be as close to the Titanic as we ever get, and that's not too shabby.

I think there are a number of reasons that the anthracite country, which has a large number of buffs, preservationists and modelers, has not capitalized upon rail attractions to the fullest.

For one thing, there has never been a first class rail attraction with a first class marketing campaign. There have been touches of both, but never in a coherent fashion. I guess recently, Andy has come the closest. Perhaps the Scranton trolley guys will be the first, since they don't have the restrictions the NPS does.

Another point is that Strasburg is within 90 minutes of the lower anthracite region, and markets itself heavily.

You have to acknowledge that they are the competition.

I frimly believe that a coherent marketing campaign (cost-effective) would be a major boost. But, there needs to be an attraction.

Right now, of the rail rides in the anthracite region, you have Steamtown, the Laurel Line trolley ride, Rail Tours in Jim Thorpe, the Stourbridge Line and the occasional trip in the R&N.

None of those attractions has yet to mount a 1-2 punch of consistent quality experience AND a cohesive marketing plan.

Why? Well, I know some of the reasons, but I do not know of any show stoppers. Perhaps it is just expertise that is needed?

I say that, because I do know that with each of the attractions I cited there are good people working hard to create good experiences. The seeds are there, for sure.

I'll get back to some marketing thoughts on RYPN next week.

Rob

PS: Ironucally, the little WK&S is probably the best regional non-Strasburg example of making a line work within its means.



trains@robertjohndavis.com

It is not just railroads; my maritime museum has been open since 1963 and TITANIC or no people still say that same thing!

Gee, I did not know you were here!

Everybody should get your name out there every chance you get! Get your name in the local weekly, travel magazines, video tapes, DVDs anything at all.

Ted Miles

ted_miles@nps.gov

> Perhaps the National board of the N.R.H.S.
> could spear-head the project to organize a
> national effort to save endangered city-park
> engines, as suggested by James Hefner.

> What we really need ( Railroad
> Preservationism in the U.S. ) is a major
> up-grade of awareness on the part of the
> American general public.

> We need to inform Joe Public that we're
> doing this to save a part of our national
> heritage, not a bunch of "train
> nuts" with nothing better to do. With
> more public awareness, we may see bigger
> grants and more tax dollars / tax-deductible
> donations to back our efforts.

I agree and I think there is an opportunity being missed. Every fall, the government runs a fundraising program called CFC, or combined federal campaign. Everyperson gets a book listing hundreds of organizations, and people get the opportunity to contribute by pay checkage or cash. Each command or activity has a financial goal...ours was $30,000 this year. I'm on a Navy ship out of Norfolk and for a number, the Hampton Roads area generated $5.4 million last year. I would assume that the national contribution is over $100 million annually.

I looked through the listing and the only railroad related organization was Rails-to-Trails. Groups range from Ducks Unlimited, the Intrepid museum, the Ruffed Grouse Society, to Sierra Club, Tailhook, and the US Chess Trust. Just about every special interest group has a listing, except railroad museum/preservation. If NRHS had a listing I would have donated to them every one of my 15 years I've had to do this. ALso, there is a listing for Local organizations, and Norfolk has the USS Wisconsin Foundation among others.

Anyway, if anybody is interested in pursuing this it would be a painless way to generate cash, and I've met many railfans through my travels over the years. I am providing the URL if anybody is interested in getting more info. I'm at sea right now and the connectivity isn't too good so I haven't checked the website out! BTW, our emergency diesels are 2 ALCO 251s and they are now veterans of the War in Afghanistan.

I think NRHS would fit the criteria perfectly, as would many local museums. When I was stationed in Philly and Mechanicsburg PA I could have donated to the Strasburg, Steamtown, etc if they were listed.

Hope this helps somebody,

Bill Hayes

hayesw@bataan.navy.mil