With all of the discussion about "museum ethics" and "conservation by not operating," one question has continously come to mind. The National Railway Museum at York is one of Europe's most prestigious museums (winning European Museum of the Year in 2000), yet they operate some of their equipment. More importantly, some of the equipment they have operated has been one of a kind. When I visited York about five years ago, I saw the Mallard, operated in 1986, Evening Star, operated in the late 1980s. The museum's Stainer 4-6-2 Dutchess of Hamilton did operate, and the museum was currently trying to find a sponsor for overhaul. Green Arrow, the LNER 2-6-2 was restored to operating condition. The museum has also restored to operation several older pieces of equipment, including the Great Western 4-4-0 City of Turo, and a Southern 4-4-0.
The main queestion is what makes the British different? I don't think Museum ethics and conservation practices are different in Europe. How does the NRM justify its destruction of historical objects by consumption? Come to think of it, how do most other British museums justify the operation of equipment? Once again, I don't mean to offend anyone, but I think I am asking a legitimate question series of questions. My theory is that the concept of "conservation" of industrial objects as preached by some in the U.S. isn't as sound as they claim. Maybe it is time for us to re-evaluate our stand on the issue.

david.wilkins@bardstown.com

Interesting thoughts David;

Without getting into the cultural differences I am still trying to comprehend which make the British so much more effective than us I have had some experience on both sides of the curatorial fence.

I don't have Kurt's benefit of a graduate school education and specialized professionalism (neither did Ben Kline so I am in good company) but I did direct a large mechanical artifact conservation program for a state museum under a paper and textile conservator. I have respect for the incredible care and attention that these people have for the fragile objects in their stewardship. It probably is a good thing to strive for that high level of conservation for large mechanical artifacts as well from a posterity POV but economically and practically unfeasable due to the large and complex nature of locomotives. They don't fit into acid free envelopes in climate controlled storage too easily.

To move from an academic consideration into a practical one, it is therefore necessary to choose carefully which locomotives are to be conserved, which restored, which operated.

How do you decide? oh boy......

Locomotives which are tied into a specific historic event? GENERAL and TEXAS? Not much GENERAL left from Andrews Raid but TEXAS is still mostly TEXAS. Should we run GENERAL every weekend but mothball TEXAS? If we do run GENERAL, should we backdate her first to be more like the one Andrews stole? Or is this removing more historic fabric which related to her reconstruction after the Confederates blew her up as Sherman was entering Atlanta? Is the fabric L&N replaced in 1961 historic or not? It certainly relates more to memories among living people than its pre - Sherman incarnation. Demonstrates the skills of the last remaining steam mechanics in the '60's.

Way too complicated. I think I will look in another direction. Safer to do nothing so I can't be criticized.Kurt will probably forward this to George so they both can share a chuckle..........

OK, moving on - representatives of particular classes of specific importance. But what is important to my favorite railroad isn't important to you and you own the last one and - horrors - are replacing parts even now to get more use out of it! Should I ask you to send me the old parts? What if they aren't original either but were replaced in an earlier rebuild? How can we be sure. Wait a minute! This engine had 2 owners subsequent to its retirement from its original owner and its original owner had rebuilt it anyhow as technology evolved during the course of its initial economic career. Is it itself anymore?

Way too complex. Let's leave this one alone too.

Probably the only way to have a pure example of anything other than what exists now, which may or may not relate to a specific example of a standard or a point in time when something interesting took place is to document it well enough to replicate it. Let's build replicas of Jupiter and 119!

While we are at it, maybe we can solve some of those nasty technical difficulties engines of that era experienced by using new techniques and materials. Besides, adapting off the shelf items will keep costs reasonable. Better include injectors and air brakes for safety reasons. All those old photos are B&W so let's find some artist to advise us on colors.

Well, here they are. Aren't they gorgeous! Where is everybody? The public sould be clamoring to get way out here in nowhere and see these!

Oh, well, maybe if we fire them up and re-enact the Golden Spike Ceremony that will draw them in............

So, here we have neither Jupiter or 119 being Jupiter and 119 getting used up with new and different colors which we think are correct and now people come out and love to see them. But is it preservation? Ahhhh, can't figure that one out.

Maybe the British were able to skip some of this activity and cut right to the chase? Or, maybe they believe steam can't be adequately interpreted as cold hunks of steel? I did see several cold hunks of steel when I was there recently but there was a lot of hot smoky stuff going on all around. Myabe if there is enough hot smoky moving stuff you don't notice the cold hunks of steel as much?

Time out, brain fried.

If you can figure it out please drop me a line.

Dave



irondave@bellsouth.net