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If you want special access, you should expect to pay for it. I recently visited the National Transport Museum in Dublin, Ireland. I was going to be in the area midweek and sent an email to ask if anyone would be on the property to let my wife and I in. I received a reply that they are normally closed midweek, but that there was a special tour group visiting that we were welcome to join. I thought we'd be paying general admission and just following the tour group. Nope, we were led in the door and straight past the ticket booth and into the collection. When my wife and I realized what was up, we broke away for a moment and discussed this. We decided to just have a cash donation in their collection box that was a bit more than twice the admission price, and made sure to let the docent know before we left. There's no feeling of accomplishment in being a cheapskate jerk to a non-profit organization.

I think you were entirely reasonable. $15? I'll probably spend close to that for a burger, fries and a coke at my favorite burger spot. If I support your operation at all, I can afford to toss $15 or $20 at buying a ticket or leaving a donation.

For me, "professional courtesy" extends more to "off menu" items, not admission. In the past, cab rides were a common offer, though these days they tend to be ticketed events. Access to areas not open to the general public would be another one, such as your restoration shop or storage barns. If I was somebody you don't know and or I don't know the site, I'd expect to be accompanied by a member for safety and security, rather than just being allowed to wander at random, but getting a "back stage" tour is a nice perk that doesn't cost the organization much. (Using a volunteer's time is a cost of sorts).

These days, it's nothing to drop $100 on just a casual grocery run of a few bags. Most of us can afford the $15. Now I don't know his circumstances, but if he can afford gas to get to your location, he can probably afford to donate. If he believes in your mission, there's really no excuse not to.

Oh, and unlimited train rides for $15? Sounds like a great deal to me.

$15 is nothing these days. In the trolley business, one of the courtesies that many trolley operators offer (conditions permitting) is to allow a certified motorman from one organization to drive a car/train under supervision of an instructor with the expectation that the visitor will extend the same courtesy to one of their members in the future. As I was an instructor for our road, I had many opportunities to talk shop with other instructors while operating as a guest on their roads.

At Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, I was one of the first operators to drive the Port Authority PCC 4004 after it got donated to them. Instructor told me that they hadn't intended to operate the 4004-until that is, they started giving it a mechanical inspection. When they inspected it, they discovered that the parts and electronics were either new or freshly rebuilt. Instead of sending it out as is, PA basically rebuilt it before sending it out to pasture. That changed PTM's tune. The only thing was that PA had removed the rear hostler's control panel, so when it came time to put her away, the instructor went to the rear and gave me directions for backing it in.

I'm a long time member and past president of IRM and a former officer of ARM, TRAIN, ATRRM and HRA. I ALWAYS pay full price when I visit a RR museum or tourist RR. In fact, I usually don't even mention who I am. It's nice to be incognito.

Same here. I always pay and don't volunteer my affiliation unless I'm under contract and must access the facility or equipment to complete my work.

Same with me. I was at one time the Secretary-Treasurer-Newletter Editor for ARM and later on its Board of Directors. I've been 50+ years a member of Orange Empire (Southern California RM) and served that organization in many positions.

But I've always paid the "nickle" or what ever the fare or entrance fee. Some times, I'd be at the museum a day prior to the planned conference or event; but, for that day I'd pay my way. This is to see the site as any other member of the public.

Besides I think that it is only fair to pay the fee -- the money is always needed.

No fooling, if the place is worth visiting, it's worth paying admission. I don't keep my railroad experience a secret, but I make very sure not to shove it in anybody's face. If they want to extend courtesies after that, I am very appreciative, but I don't expect it.

When I visited Wolstyn, Poland, they let us stay in the crew dormitory for a very nominal fee, I think $12. The next morning when we tried to pay the very nominal museum admission, they said "You already paid, now you're our guest". We made a donation anyway. In cases like this, if they won't let me buy a ticket or pay admission, I at least offer to buy dinner or beer afterwards, or get somebody's address and send some photos, hats, or other goodies later.

When I've had the chance, I not only extend "professional courtesy" as often as possible, but I extend it to civilians, tourists, hobbyists, and ESPECIALLY the young, not just "professionals". This includes the 13 years I worked for BN, when our business had nothing to do with making people who are interested in trains happy.

I can only remember two occasions over the years when I have NOT been extended "professional courtesy". THANKS ONCE AGAIN to countless railroaders I've met in my travels....

I visited the orrville historical society yesterday to meet up with someone. I donated to the collections box. Paid to ride the speeders witch was fantastic. And one of there members where nice enough to show us the cab of 471. If you do talk to someone and say you are with a certain organization don't try to get free stuff. It makes you look stupid. Drop in an say Hi, and donate.

People are always looking to give themselves some type of bona-fide to make themselves 'worthy' of not having to spend the money.
I can't count the number of family members of veterans who would demand free access to displayed WW2 planes at 'barnstorming' visits (a B-17 costs over $2K an hour to run and that's gotta come from somewhere), for example.
Heck, I worked at a Kinko's copies in college back in the 90s and I'll never forget the gal who came in demanding free copies because her Dad supposedly worked for Xerox. I point out that we didn't have anything built by them and even if we did, even her Dad wouldn't get free stuff. Even the people standing around her were trying to explain the same thing as she was holding up the line. She never understood.
There are just people like that.

.

On August 11th this past summer, I extended professional courtesy
to Max the dog, when he came to ride with me on a 2-car
South Shore train at the East Troy Electric Railroad.

Max has his own facebook page called "Where's Max today?"

I do not do facebook, but Max is on there and there are
pictures and video from his interurban train ride.

And this is why I wanted to print up a banner last time we ran an excursion. If the train didn't sell out the lead unit was going to be festooned with "NEXT TIME BUY A TICKET"

Luckily the train sold out, but my warped sense of justice makes me still relish the idea.

From the railfan/photographer's perspective I personally often enjoy chasing a train more than riding it. Its honestly hard to get the photos I want while riding the train unless it's a photograph special. But I also found ways to contribute to the lines I was chasing. The Nevada Northern has a yard tour ticket allowing access to their yard and shops without purchasing a train ticket. I bought one of those last time I was in Ely, although most my chase was in the canyon I was able to use the time with the yard ticket to get some good shop photos. Then I bought a magnet in the gift shop on the way out.

The other moment was also in Nevada last week on the Virginia and Truckee. My friends and I chased an early morning steam special. After the chase we bought a ticket for one of their 30 minute diesel rides and rode it. It seemed like the appropriate thing to do considering how their trains had been entertaining us all day prior.

So I guess what I am trying to say is, even chasers and photographers can be enticed to spend/donate money to the cause if the right opportunity is available for them.

Have you considered adding an option on your website to donate for chasing? It would basically be an electronic tip jar, but if I had chased it, and there was an easy place to say "Hey, thanks for running that, here's $10". I would likely contribute.