Other recent thread asking about Illinois Railway Museum progress on steam tasks triggered a thought I have from time to time. How does the geographic location of a restoration group affect its ability to motivate volunteers?

IRM is, I suppose, the designated museum for the Chicago area, an enormous metropolitan area. However, is it close enough to the population center to really facilitate participation from all those potential interested parties?

I know as a young man geographic location was a major factor in which projects I participated. Something 15 minutes away received my attention, versus something 45 minutes away.

A more fundamental problem. If the location is not viable for a museum, there won't be anywhere for volunteers to go. For instance Far Rockaway, San Leandro, Compton, Alexandria, La Grange, Billerica, Hamtramck -- all convenient for the volunteers but hopeless places for a railroad museum.

If you notice, a huge number of the successful museums are located at about a 50-60 mile radius from the city center. If you notice, the "Outlet Malls" locate in exactly the same radius. Same with Cabelas, Bass Pro Shops, etc. And they're STILL building at that radius. Think about what they are: more entertainment than shopping. One does not simply "run into" Cabelas for bait. I think the distance is intentional, both for the cheaper land/employees/low NIMBYs, and specifically to force their customers into committing to an experience, family outing, day-trip. So I think it's a very workable radius.

Do you lose volunteers? Sure you do, by the scadload, not least, the transit enthusiasts who are themselves transit bound.

Does anyone notice a difference in the volunteer skills for a facility in the city vs. one in the country? I would think that those living the city life would not have as many blue collar skills as those out in rural areas where life usually involves more hands on activities, conversely, you probably won't find as many fundraising/pr/marketing etc. types living in the country. The 60 mile radius rule would tend to draw from both areas, making for a stronger skillset overall.