For those interested, the MOT Guest Editorial by Molly Butterworth is now available. Use the links table on the RyPN Home page, or by click Editorials on the RyPN Navigation frame.

eledbetter@rypn.org

MOT's Molly Butterworth should be commended for her very insightful and professional commentary in her RyPN editorial. So many railway museums would benefit from following her lead and her editorial is required reading for all. It goes to show that with limited resources, MOT is taking care of a long-neglected world-class collection in a methodological, realistic and professional fashion. Remember cynics, miracles do not happen overnight and patience is a virtue. They have a collecting plan in place, which is bare-bones essential for any museum. They also are investing in shelters and climate-controlled facilities which will prolong the preservation of their collection. They also continue to collect in a careful, analytical matter--the railroad industry is still a going concern and today's vehicles will be tomorrow's historic artifacts. The national railroad story is not over yet. MOT understands the difference between restoration and preservation, which is an approach so often overlooked in railway museums. So much historic fabric in the past has been lost (or seldom documented) at many rail museums because people were never educated about these important concepts. It is clear that collections care issues are being addressed in a thoughtful, proactive manner at MOT.

Rest assured rail preservation cynics, the MOT collection is in very good hands with Molly Butterworth. Keep up the good work!

> For those interested, the MOT Guest
> Editorial by Molly Butterworth is now
> available. Use the links table on the RyPN
> Home page, or by click Editorials on the
> RyPN Navigation frame.

> Ms Butterworth has written a very interesting and thoughtful response to criticism directed at the MOT. I wonder if the critics of this and some other museums have actually managed a major museum operation, raised the money, recruited the volunteers and actually directed the volunteers to follow the museum's plan instead of their individual goals and fantasies. The next time someone is critical, and there is much of which to be critical, of rail museums, I would like to hear how, exactly and realistically, they would change the operation and what experience they have in doing so.

haaghistory@yahoo.com

The whole thing started when a post was made here based on information and/or impressions that were clearly 15 or 20 years out of date. It was pretty obvious that the poster had not been near the MOT in a VERY long time, if ever.

That said, he posed some provacative and interesting questions, and I think Ms. Butterworth laid out the museum's position solidly and squarely.

As one who first laid eyes on the place 30 years ago when it truly was nothing more than a junk yard, I continue to be impressed by the progress the place makes, which is clearly visible on each of my semi-annual visits there. And it's why I gladly donate annually and my employer matches those donations. It's well worth it.

> "Contribute annually:" now those are the two words which may be the most important in the world of museums and preservation. I need to get my checkbook out right now and start making some conributions. Good reminder! Good example!

haaghistory@yahoo.com