to many wonderful people.

Last week, 22 members and one guest of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum ventured up to the frozen Northeast. Our mission was to visit Steamtown, the Strasburg Railroad, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the B&O Railroad Museum and the SS John W. Brown. We were not out to "walk and gawk" at the exhibits but to understand how these organizations operate, market themselves, interpret their exhibits and interact with their host communities.

The success of the trip far exceeded any expectations. We owe a great deal of gratitude to so many wonderful people that took time out our of their busy schedules to not only meet with us, but prepare and copy handouts, organize behind the scenes tours, and even join our group for dinner. The entire group came back with renewed sense of purpose and minds full of ideas of things we can add or do better at TVRM.

At Steamtown, Kip Hagen, Glenn Smith, Ralph Coury, Ella Rayburn, Pat McKnight, and Mark Birtel really went beyond the call of duty to help us with our mission.

At the Strasburg Railroad, Linn Moedinger, Kelly Anderson and Carl Plaistead took time out of their schedules to show us around and answer lots of questions. Oh, and thanks to Pat for being there to take our money in the best Railroad Bookstore around.

Across the street, Kurt Bell and David Dunn gave us a great look at the Archives, Library, Restoration Shop and Yard, Exhibition Hall and the Learning Center. Both of them provided us with lots of great information that nearly overloaded my suitcase.

Finally, I can say that the B&O Museum is going to be a great place to see when it reopens. Ed Williams really made some great impressions on our group. We are already planning a trip to revisit them after they reopen.

I hope I haven't left anyone out. My apologies if I have.

Finally, while in the Scranton area, we took the time to drive up to Nicholson and see the Tuckhannock Viaduct. It was so impressive that we did a group photo. It should be up for viewing on our website sometime this weekend.

G. Mark
TVRM

Look at our Revamped Website
aw90@comcast.net

I would concur with Mark that each of the organizations went out of their way to reach out to us during our trip. We were able to see some of the variations in the way things are conceptualized, planned, and executed between them, based on the mission statements each has. This allowed for the contemplation of how TVRM can take its own mission statement and develop new assets to our own organization which will be more engaging for our visitors. And the visitor is what its all about. We need them to visit, and want to tell others to visit, as well as return.
Again, it can't be said enough. Thanks to everyone who made our trip a success. We will certainly return the favor if they visit us, and I am sure would extend similar opportunities to anyone who visits our organization as it benefits us all in the long run.

Respectfully, Mike Overlander

emd_e8s@yahoo.com

The TVRM delegation indeed were "lucky campers" to have been treated so royally by so many fine folks.


amiller@rtms-movietrains.com

> The TVRM delegation indeed were "lucky
> campers" to have been treated so
> royally by so many fine folks.

Off hand, I'd say that they got what they deserved!
I had the very good fortune to visit the TVRM back in August of last year while on vacation. My wife, myself and another couple were heading to Nashville and they thought that a side trip would be nice for me so we wound up at the site. Let me state without any doubt that I was greatly impressed not only with the site but also the people. I was able to obtain a cab ride and the crew was informative, friendly and all around just nice folk!. In this day and age, that is a rare item! My hat is off to those folk for the great job they are doing!
Bob Niblick

rrnut@prodigy.net