New "ARMED/TRRAIN" Outreach Initiative Announcement

Gary Gray · **Posted:** Sun Apr 01, 2012 1:05 am

Dateline April 1, 2012

The newly merged "Affiliated Rail Museum Educational Directive/Tourist Rail Road Alliance Inc." (hereafter refered to as "ARMED/TRRAIN" today announced the first of several planned support programs for its member organizations.

ARMED/TRRAIN President Grover C. Flange noted that one of the biggest challenges facing the historic railroading community today is the dwindling supply of manpower, especially amongst volunteer oriented organizations. Said Flange, "While the railroad hobby is growing in scope across the country, the available workforce for historic activities seems to be shrinking. Fewer and fewer modern railfans take a hands-on role in the restoration & operation of historic rail lines. Instead, today's fans seem to be more and more pre-occupied with taking gazillions of digital photos to post on the inter-web, arguing about paint shades and critcizing operating practices in online forums, and shrilly demanding that this or that piece of equipment be restored"

In order to address this situation, ARMED/TRRAIN is developing a new incentive program to reach out to "those people" and encourage them to participate at their local museum or tourist line. ARMED/TRRAIN Outreach Director Jason Steayboldt elaborates. "We are working with clothing manufacturers, funding sources, and communications outlets in the railfan community so that ARMED/TRRAIN members will be able to provide incentive rewards to new volunteers. Recruits will be able to earn authentic period-style work apparel based on man/hours worked, and will be given opportunities to pose in their new old work clothes for living history and period photo events"

The title of the new incentive program will be "Kromers for Foamers"

jasonsobczynski · **Posted:** Sun Apr 01, 2012 8:10 am

Very nice Gary!

FLO · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2011 2:07 am **Posts:** 328

Gary Gray wrote:

While the railroad hobby is growing in scope across the country, the available workforce for historic activities seems to be shrinking. Fewer and fewer modern railfans take a hands-on role in the restoration & operation of historic rail lines. Instead, today's fans seem to be more and more pre-occupied with taking gazillions of digital photos to post on the inter-web, arguing about paint shades and critcizing operating practices in online forums, and shrilly demanding that this or that piece of equipment be restored.

Sad to say, when I see photos of people doing skilled restoration work at museums, they're usually 60 and over -- seldom any young people. I wonder if this absence foretells a coming crisis in preservation. Maybe ARMED/TRRAIN should think about cloning the skilled, senior museum volunteers??

Bob Lyndall · **Posted:** Mon Apr 02, 2012 11:05 am

Gary -

Although not a true Kromer Kap, the image below depicts several of the many fine offerings available thru the Kromers 4 Foamers Katalog Incentives & Redemption Program:

Bobharbison · **Joined:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:42 pm **Posts:** 3010

FLO wrote:

Sad to say, when I see photos of people doing skilled restoration work at museums, they're usually 60 and over -- seldom any young people.

April Foolery aside, come on up to the Mt Rainier Scenic RR some time, and bring your camera. You'll find plenty of young people involved in operations and the shop. I'd venture to say that old folks are easily in the minority.