Let us step lightly while discussing this topic. I see the makings of a firery and abuptly locked thread.

If you google 'railspeeders Jimmy Carter' it will bring you to a photo gallery on the Railspeeders website. Near the bottom they have several photos with former President Carter speaking with the owners of the rail speeders. Pretty unique event.

Sorry I couldn't get a direct link, using my phone to post.

One thing about Harry Truman, he was the last President to leave office with no retirement and only a small Army pension, and lived his later life accordingly. He did not spend large amounts on travel, and, in fact, drove himself and Bess on many trips in their 1953 Chrysler, which finally resulted in John Kennedy authorizing Secret Service protection for the former President (the first former President to receive protection after leaving office). I won't say Harry was cheap, but he lived within his means and never made money off his status as a former President, unlike those today who have turned it into a multi-million dollar business. He really could not afford to fly and usually took the train or drove himself.

Cycling back to part II of the original question:



Our local and state representatives remain aware of our museum. Things were much better in the days of ISTEA and TEA-21 when museums were eligible for funding. We have been recently approached by a local state delegate offering to seek capital project funding for a project but we are between big projects and had to defer at the time.

The awareness does take effort on our part to be visible at meet and greet events sponsored by our county Arts and Humanities Council and various chamber of commerce gatherings.

Wesley

This. Getting yourself in bed with the government is a super bad idea, especially if your organization has any foamer-itis. The government requires a truly exceptional level of accountability regarding any money they give you. When, inevitably, the money is not handled according to their high standard, the government is not "understanding" nor "gives you slack", they claw back the money and you are left holding the bag, and this usually results in bankruptcy.



Not anymore. These days, what's got me white-hot angry is the inside joke among the elitists that goes like this: "Haha watch this, I'll tell them I'm gonna _____ ____ ____ and they'll believe it!"

I think the fact is that almost any elected official thinks that railroad preservation is a hobby for such an insignificant few that he or she never gives it a thought!

Unless you happen to live in one of the few states that allocate money from their TEA-21 funds to historic preservation; I would not expect to hear anything about this subject any time soon.

Ted Miles

A lot of this will boil down to, what can the politician get out of it/what is the advantages. Cannot say too much but approaching the right person with the right proposals at the right time can lead to them making it an issue for the next election.

But...... it has to be something big enough to fall into the major tourist attraction category. A few thousand here and there isn't going to get attention, but if you have a solid plan that might cost between $10mil and $100mil it might actually get off the ground if you can show what the positive benefits/returns on investment will be. Eg, if the state or region will likely get a $2 return for each $1 spent, then its got a good chance whether or not its railway related.

Puffing Billy here in Australia gets money allocated/discussed during almost every election campaign as it's the second biggest tourist attraction in Victoria so it's in the governments interest to keep visitor numbers up as a large percentage are overseas tourists so they bring a lot of money into the state.

[quote="thunda"Puffing Billy here in Australia gets money allocated/discussed during almost every election campaign as it's the second biggest tourist attraction in Victoria so it's in the governments interest to keep visitor numbers up as a large percentage are overseas tourists so they bring a lot of money into the state.[/quote]

And, Puffing Billy is a very professionally operated business with a proven track record of success - if you come across as a bunch of foamers with grand ideas backed up by nothing but wishful thinking you deservedly will get little support.

And sometimes this happens:

www.pressherald.com/2016/11/08/museum-d ... oad-fails/

Dave,

Puff certainly do a lot of things well......

Looking at another railway over here, the Yarra Valley Railway, they are making great progress on rebuilding 10km of track and 14 trestle bridges. This being made possible with a $3.5 million(au) grant from the federal govenment. While not directly getting a polli to make and keep a promise, it was the result of the federal gov trying to stimulate the regional economies around the country. The YVR were just able to write a proposal that got the funds allocated to the railway as a tourist asset for that region, not as a heritage railway. This not only involved the railway but the local/shire councils, other tourist attractions, business council and the main businesses all had to come together to push the YVR as the next big tourist attraction that the region needed. It's not something that you can go alone on....

Then the political spin came into it. Change of party/Prime Minister at an election and the final paper work hadn't been signed on the grant. Both parties had promised to ensure the grant followed thru with while campaigning but the PM said no to all grants from the last party once in power But, the pollies were held to their promises pre-election and the YVR did end up getting the grant.

I'd prefer our current new hire didn't try to live up to all his promises; if he could find a way that's both legal and practical to rebuild our industrial base, that's the only one I'd get behind. Pleased it worked out, and you must let us know how you made them keep their promises some day.

The late Speaker of the House, Tip O'Neill is often quoted as saying "All politics is local". We are lucky in my area to have a congressman who has supported historic preservation since he was first elected, and has helped with many grants and otherwise supported local preservation projects. It was a pleasure to speak with him tonight as he was a guest at our donor recognition / grand opening reception for our newly restored Virginian Ry. passenger station

Work with your local politicians -- your city/community/county leaders and office holders. These in many ways will have be able to help or to hinder your activities. Have these people on your side and your life will be easier.

Invite these people to your museum and show them around and give them a good time. If they ask how they can help, be ready to answer. Start with reasonable and easy requests (no requests for "the moon").

Have good, responsible representation to the local service clubs that the local leaders or "want to bes" are active in.

Have good, responsible representation to the local chamber of commerce(s).

Participate in the local community and its activities. Don't show up only when you want something

Host events for the local service clubs and the c of c. That will help get their members more familiar with the museum.

It is now May of 2017 and much has changed over the last time a comment was posted. I'd like to get a general consensus from the community on politicizing the Adirondack Trail case. I have since been appointed to a high ranking position within a third party and we'd like to make this an annual issue to act upon. I've spoken with gentlemen in high places who may have an interest in fighting for the railroad's cause but I would like your upmost approval first. Under normal circumstances I would never consider the idea of doing so but given the current critical nature I feel there is some sort of urgency to it. My staffers and I have considered running an awareness campaign up north to garner popular support but we have little resources at the moment. If you'd be interested in lending a hand please contact me at the appropriate correspondences.

Cameron