After the RER flame out this week, I swore off RYPN for a couple of days. I don't want anybody making voodoo dolls of me. ;-)

Anyway, the thread about F. Nelson Blount got the wheels turning again.

As I get older, I realize that there really are two ways to make things happen in the world: you get the right team together that knows how to go nose-to-the-grindstone and you need a good promoter like a P.T. Barnum to make the show work.

Part of the problem, and its inherent in human nature, is that people who go the P.T. Barnum route tend to draw criticism from the peanut gallery because of their fame and success. Whether it stems from jealousy, insecurity or just plain grumpiness, the visibility draws fire.

Our hobby/business/passion of old trains has sprouted a few P.T. Barnum's. All of them have pulled off incredible shows over the past 40 years. All of them have been the brunt of criticism, too. That?s where human nature comes in. Look at Mr. Levin and his E-8?s. Seconds after the joy of him owning all three of the old Conrail girls goes away, people start griping at him to paint the Erie unit in two-tone or trade it to the NJ group for one of the whupped Paduchas.

The point missed is that Mr. Levin is the P.T. Barnum of the E-units. He owns the show and runs a great team. If someone else, either another P.T. or one of those hard working teams had stepped in, then they would get the same backlash from someone, somewhere.

By putting yourself out there and doing something, you instantly run the risk of being a target for critique.

And that's not just in the railroad world. This is pretty basic psychology.

The truth is, all the successes in steam operations have resulted from someone putting themselves out there and taking a risk. A 22-year RER, Dwight Smith turning a B&M sow's ear into a silk purse, the original Strasburg gang, Andy Muller, Jerry Jacobson, Doyle McCormack and so on.

All of these men put on the show. Each has done something somewhere that a railfan didn't like. So what? They also put on the show when no one else would or could. And they put on the show for everyone, not just the limited crowd of buffs.

I used to think I knew it all about everything. Every day I learn I know less about nothing.

(It is something I encourage everyone to try. The moment you accept that someone else may know more about something than you is the moment you start to learn. And there are people, some who frequent this board, who know that I didn't always believe that. I like to think of it as growing wiser... and being less of an angry young man. It's part of the reason I make the effort of including my e-mail address in posts here. If I can't stand behind what I post on RYPN and admit who I am, then it's probably content that I shouldn't post.)

I've never organized a steam trip. I've ridden many, so I can tell you what I think works from the butt-in-the-seat point of view, but you won't hear me telling anyone how to run the show.

In fact, I'd rather ask questions and learn, rather than turn the deaf ear of complaint.

I implore all of us on this board who have never been a P.T. Barnum of old trians to think before we type. Think about what it really takes to do it. And be smart. Don't ridicule an operator whose flue time expires, or else you're asking all of us to laugh at you when your car needs an oil change. Some people I know can't afford to repair their car all the time. And the car sits awhile. These are good people. Same in steam.

So the challenge is, if you think you know how to get big steam running, go do it. If it were easy, we'd have 25 4-8-4's on the road this year.

But many folks seem to know better.

So?

Take your ideas and go to it.

Run the best steam trip ever.

But be aware, somewhere somebody is loading (free-loading) the Kodachrome and they're ready to cut you down in magazines, online and anywhere else because your flue time expires, or you can?t afford your Part 230 work, or your 90 year old firebox cracks, or you painted her like she was in 1945 when everyone knows you should have done her as she was in 1927, or you have to run tender-fist because you don't have half a mil for a turntable, or you don't have a NYC F-12e to run on your NYC branchline (no matter that they were all scrapped, that was someone's fault, too, but we'll blame you), or you had the gall to letter her for YOUR railroad even though you own her, or?

And the you can really tee these guys off when you remind them that your target audience, your bread-and-butter, your raison d'etre would be happier if you painted everything blue with a face on it!


It's human nature.

Rob



trains@robertjohndavis.com

Well said.

Years ago when I got involved in my first rolling-stock preservation project, I naively thought everyone would be for it, even though it was an ambitious one in an untried locale. In line with what you mentioned, naysayers and critics (including some in the Kodachrome camp and some in municipal/public life) came out to "cheer." When the project succeeded, not a single one of those critics attended the dedication ceremony (about 5,000 citizens did).

You have to decide what you're going to aim for, consider your chances for success, assess your resources, build your team of allies, and then go for it. Nobody else will do it for you. Certainly not your critics.

They are inevitably part of the picture, but we need to think of them metaphorically as the caboose. The train runs with or without a caboose, and in any case, the caboose contributes no propulsion whatsoever.

cupper@att.net

As I recall, Mr. Levin invited discussion about what paint scheme to restore his ex-Erie/EL E-8.

As the owners of an ex-Erie/EL diner, we are asked all the time about whih way to paint it. For now, since we are based in Scranton, we will go for the EL paint.

Whatever paint scheme ends up on Mr. Levin's E-8, I hope someday we arrange to have our diner behind it!

Erie Lackawanna Dining Car Peservation Society
tstuy@eldcps.org

> As I recall, Mr. Levin invited discussion
> about what paint scheme to restore his
> ex-Erie/EL E-8.

> As the owners of an ex-Erie/EL diner, we are
> asked all the time about whih way to paint
> it. For now, since we are based in Scranton,
> we will go for the EL paint.

> Whatever paint scheme ends up on Mr. Levin's
> E-8, I hope someday we arrange to have our
> diner behind it!
I'm SICK of reading all this bu&^sh^& complaining about those who do,most likely from those who don't. EVERYONE that complains about this people should have to list what extrodinary things they have done in the effort of railway preservation!It's kinda of like the old saying don't complain about farmers with your mouth full!
Takeing pictures does not count as preservation. But putting your money,time and love into it does. It's to easy to be an arm chair quater back.
If I offend someone ,tell me what you have done, If it's real I will apoligize here on the board if not SHUT UP!!!
I come to this board to learn from other people in the biz how they do things and maybe learn how we can do things. I am activly involved in saveing and operating railway equipment not critizing those who do. I really am sick of hearing those who don't critizing those who do. nuff said!


irss@eriecoast.com

> I'm SICK of reading all this
> bu&^sh^& complaining about those who
> do,most likely from those who don't.

Right on. And let's be fair, Jack's post came after Tim's but Tim is a DOER in a very big way, most recently with the diner project.

I'm sure Tim is going have some excellent experiences to share, as it is a heck of a project. Check out his link if you haven't. These guys have set everything in motion to do the car justice and then some. Great project!

Rob


trains@robertjohndavis.com

> Right on. And let's be fair, Jack's post
> came after Tim's but Tim is a DOER in a very
> big way, most recently with the diner
> project.

> I'm sure Tim is going have some excellent
> experiences to share, as it is a heck of a
> project. Check out his link if you haven't.
> These guys have set everything in motion to
> do the car justice and then some. Great
> project!

> Rob
Like I said i'm here to learn from those who do and it sure sounds like TIm is a doer. no offense was ment towards him.

irss@eriecoast.com

> I'm SICK of reading all this
> bu&^sh^& complaining about those who
> do,most likely from those who don't.
> EVERYONE that complains about this people
> should have to list what extrodinary things
> they have done in the effort of railway
> preservation!It's kinda of like the old
> saying don't complain about farmers with
> your mouth full!
> Takeing pictures does not count as
> preservation. But putting your money,time
> and love into it does. It's to easy to be an
> arm chair quater back.
> If I offend someone ,tell me what you have
> done, If it's real I will apoligize here on
> the board if not SHUT UP!!!
> I come to this board to learn from other
> people in the biz how they do things and
> maybe learn how we can do things. I am
> activly involved in saveing and operating
> railway equipment not critizing those who
> do. I really am sick of hearing those who
> don't critizing those who do. nuff said!

Just so that I'm not misinterpreting your statement about taking pictures, you mean that taking pictures of equipment running today (that you can buy tickets to ride on or merchandise, or even volunteer to work on and serve as crew for) doesn't count as preservation? It is a very good point for consideration, though I would be interested in knowing how you see photos as railroad preservation (not in anyway trying to start a flame or anything like that). I can't personally attest to having done much myself (I'm 20, in college, and work about 20 hours a week), and certainly nothing extraordinary (yet at least). I do hope to help my NRHS chapter with work on our equipment this summer (a station, two cabooses, two small serviceable non-steam locos, a 25-ton-Plymouth gas mechanical and a 50-ton diesel).


JBeutel611@aol.com