> Again, great topic. We have had some doozy's
> lately. Some of my own comments if I may:

> I've gotten to know Dave pretty well over
> the past couple of years, and although he
> does point to the fact you can dwell on the
> past or the negative, I should note how much
> it surprised and saddened me when I first
> met him to hear that he had experienced many
> of the negative things I had experienced,
> both in the same organization and in others
> very similar to it. There is no question it
> is a different world from when even he and I
> (a difference of only a couple of years)
> were teenagers: the insurance/ liability was
> much less, but the writing was already on
> the wall.
> Its tough trying to both explain you have
> some knowledge and yet not seem pompous; god
> forbid if you correct an older member on an
> engine number, wheel arrangement, etc. Youth
> doesn't always have to equal ignorance, as
> long as that youth is willing to LISTEN as
> well as speak.

> Both Dave and I experienced the fact that
> rather than deal with the issue of getting
> younger people involved head-on, the
> organizations backed away, just about
> denying anyone under the age of 18 ANY
> opportunity to work there. I was fortunate
> enough to have had some members of a certain
> local NRHS chapter take me under there wing
> at the age of 9; I was "working"
> trips (helping to get things, sweeping cars,
> wokring as a an apprentice chef, etc.) under
> their close observation and tutelage, and
> although I know many of you would scough at
> the age I just stated, they saw something in
> me that they wished to both foster and
> expand: a love of steam, railroad in
> general, and the will to volunteer. Sadly,
> after five solid years of working these
> trips, it was decided by a newer group of
> individuals that anyone under 18 wasn't
> worth the effort, and although I later
> received apologies, I and two others were
> dropped like a hot potato, and told to come
> back at 18. By then, my attitude was, well,
> I think you can guess.

> I did move on to other groups, but I've
> never forgotten what it feels like to be
> treated that way, and for no good reason. I
> would have been happy sweeping cars; (and
> was) they wanted a "good-ole-boy"
> club, and now I see sadly notice that this
> groups 2004 trips may be their last.

> Having said this, members of that same group
> worked very hard to find me other avenues
> and other groups to help, and for that I'm
> forever grateful. I've tried to help other
> young people interested in rail opportunites
> when I can, especially if they show a real
> interest. I think that the attitude is
> really beginning to change within the
> community towards bringing ALL AGES on
> board; and there are significant milestones.
> I would have loved to have the opportunity
> of rail camp; to meet the "names"
> that I heard in TRAINS magazine, RAILWAY
> PRESERVATION NEWS, and others. Maybe I
> wouldn't have been so awestruck when I
> finally did meet some of these individuals
> back at ARM/TRAIN in 2001 ;-) Guys who,
> well, post here on a regular basis.

> I guess my long-windedness is saying that
> the survival of rail preservation begins
> with what we are doing here; getting serious
> about the issues that re facing the
> community in both the present and the
> future. There is no discrimination of
> thought here: many of us may think that and
> idea is pretty nutty, but we are still
> allowed to voice it and add our own two
> cents to the opinions being weighed. I'm
> honored (and I realize that sounds cheesy,
> but I'm a chessy guy at times) to be able to
> speak my view on such a wonderful forum as
> this, with gentlemen and women who both
> influenced and sahped my career path, even
> though they might not know they did. Thank
> you to Erik, Bob, and the countless other
> who literarily give us the opportunity to do
> that every single hour of every single day
> if we so choose.

> T.J.

Excellent thoughts. Thanks for sharing your experiences. All who read this will benefit.


amiller@rtms-movietrains.com

Old photo from the 1947 Delaware & Hudson annual report, showing the Colonie Shops in Watervaliet, NY. Shops are still there, derelict. The 2-8-0s and men are gone.


http://abpr2.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?august03/08-05-03/Page_15_tn.jpg
ryarger@rypn.org