For those who decry politics at Steamtown: It has always been political

At Steamtown, a specific issue fuels the problem. Some career NPS employees see Steamtown as “mission drift”, if not “mission corruption”. They have not been passive, either. At higher levels, NPS staff had an ally in Bruce Vento (D., MN) to lead the charge against Steamtown, until his death in 2000. In recent years, it has been Joel Hefley (R, CO) of Colorado. The latter individual rails against Steamtown on his website as the seminal reason for promoting “reform” legislation.

The resistance comes from the mandate of the 1916 National Park System Organic Act that created the NPS: “The fundamental purpose of the parks is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations”.

A certain SMALL contingent of the NPS staff construes this charge to mean that their mandate is to disallow or at least restrict any use for the enjoyment (of the present generation) and that the resource must be unchanged.

This construction is useful (although theoretical since nothing remains unchanged over time) in protecting natural resources or static items such as monuments, battlefields or buildings but breeds a focus on the asset as an end in itself, not because the place serves a public interest. In short, the park service has its primary constituency, the resources, not the public-since public contact has destructive or degrading impacts.

It is easy to preserve a waterfall or a forest “unimpaired for future generations”. The waterfall changes of course, but that is its natural course. Individual trees come and go- but the forest remains. This will occur “naturally” as long as human contact is prohibited or at least limited or regulated.

Essentially, the NPS is at the helm of a facility with a mission (to present operating steam) that is at odds with the prevailing culture and ethos. They are focused on preserving things without human intervention, not developing ways to preserve industrial artifacts as operable items and the attendant industrial practices. The NPS culture and ethos is predisposed to put a yellow rope or glass case around something.

Moreover, the average mid or upper level career NPS employee (especially the beltway bound one) is mostly likely to affected by outside organizations such as the Natural Parks Conversation Association (NCPA)- which focuses on the Yellowstone type parks and advocates (or agitates depending on your opinion) for more money-which makes them a friend.

When Papa Joe McDade was in Congress, serving on various committees (especially the appropriations committee) and held power as both a committee chair and a swing vote from the minority party, the NPS feared ticking him off. Vento ran his mouth, McDade ran the bank account.

Now McDade is retired. The party tables have turned. Steamtown is in a Democratic district, the Republicans are in charge and a most vocal opponent is a Republican. In the absence of the persistent attention of Congressman Kanjorski, the NPS as currently structured will pursue static interpretation. It is in their blood. There will be all kinds of plans and promises, but just as many excuses. Ask yourself why year after year there is always a reason there is only one operating engine?

KanjorskiÂ’s will remain interested the same way any politician stays interested; when he is convinced attention will gain votes and or campaign money-the motherÂ’s milk of politics.

What is especially revealing is the willingness to bear costs related to the “core complex” that is unable to be economically solvent (especially without an excursion) and itself involves risks of litigation. There has been no public thought of reducing any aspect of that part of the operation. If better economics was really at the heart of the issue, there would be consideration to that finding economies of operation in the museum complex.

In summary, the National Park Service is the wrong organization for the job. Steamtown is an unwanted step-child with a bad report card. If the feds are going to attempt to preserve a place like Steamtown, they needs a new agency developed specifically to deal with Industrial Archeology or the site will continue to suffer. An alternative would be decommissioning and transfer to the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission, but thereÂ’d have to be votes and cash in it for state lawmakers. Pennsylvania politics is driven by Philadelphia (especially now) and Pittsburgh. Scranton is an aging city losing political capital. There is no quick answer.

As an aside, understand that at the level of the NPS you are likely to encounter at Steamtown-volunteers and interpretive rangers- are individuals who are polite, friendly, eager and dedicated. They have persisted through disappointment, unemployment and other trials and tribulations. They understand what they are doing is important.

I would like to name a few here, but I just do not think that would be good for them.

> For those who decry politics at Steamtown:
> It has always been political

Go no further than any trip than when Park brass and invited VIP's (politicians, riding free) ride the Lehigh Valley car in air conditioning and are served food and drinks while the PAYING visitors can't even look inside. Funny how they don't sell extra fare seats to cover their costs instead of acting like their are James J. Hill.



voxverum@yahoo.com

> I would like to name a few here, but I just
> do not think that would be good for them.

No need to name names. We know who they are, and they know who we are.... and they know we have supported them for many years and will continue to do so because they are good people.

I don't see how this has any relevance with the current discussion. I have ridden this car, and paid the extra fare. Perhaps if this car was the property of Steamtown you might have a point. When the opportunity and rises and its open to the public, don't miss it. Its worth it!

Joshua

> Go no further than any trip than when Park
> brass and invited VIP's (politicians, riding
> free) ride the Lehigh Valley car in air
> conditioning and are served food and drinks
> while the PAYING visitors can't even look
> inside. Funny how they don't sell extra fare
> seats to cover their costs instead of acting
> like their are James J. Hill.


joshua@joshuakblay.com

I am pleased to see this lengthy, informative and interesting post. While some might disagree with some of the specifics (and I am do not have firsthand knowledge sufficient for learned comment), the very fact that SNHS political roots are recognized and discussed is a good thing.

The next step is to realize that there is public policy and politics guiding a whole lot of what rail preservationists are able to accomplish. More importantly, public policy enacts active and passive restrictions that allow some interest groups to excel at the expense of rail preservationists.

A passive restriction is when rail-trails eat up all of the TEA21 money. An active restriction is when a governor "lets it be known" that particular classes of projects are verboten, that a railroad museum is wasting its time and paper to even apply.

That's when long-term and meaningful political relationships can stop the idea before it becomes policy. Or better yet, the "presence" of the railroad preservation interest groups would stop such a dang-fool idea from ever being floated.

Take a serious look in the mirror. Where is your organization? Really and truly. Be honest. Do a real S-W-O-T exam. Your museum's strategic future may rest with your assessment.

http://www.rtms-movietrains.com
amiller@rtms-movietrains.com

> A passive restriction is when rail-trails
> eat up all of the TEA21 money. An active
> restriction is when a governor "lets it
> be known" that particular classes of
> projects are verboten, that a railroad
> museum is wasting its time and paper to even
> apply.

Of course this is not the case in PA. Steamtown's B&M Pacific has received nearly $500,000 in TEA-21 money.

tstuy@nospam-eldcps.org

> Of course this is not the case in PA.
> Steamtown's B&M Pacific has received
> nearly $500,000 in TEA-21 money.

True 'nuff. But that project is a rare exception, rather than the rule. I ask, why be satisfied with such a small piece of the policy pie?

Remember, if you're not leading the pack, the view ahead doesn't change much.

http://www.rtms-movietrains.com
amiller@rtms-movietrains.com

> Of course this is not the case in PA.
> Steamtown's B&M Pacific has received
> nearly $500,000 in TEA-21 money.

$500,000 to run an 80 inch drivered Pacific a mile to the hotel. I love the irony.

voxverum@yahoo.com

> $500,000 to run an 80 inch drivered Pacific
> a mile to the hotel. I love the irony.

Ah, now that sounds like a big waste of money to me. But it's interesting to note that TRAINS Magazine DOESN'T care, Railfan & Railroad appears not to, and nobody in the preservation movement is coming forward to promote the long-term operation of mainline excursions at Steamtown. Rather than getting Paul Kanjorski to back the mainline excursions short-term, maybe we all should be thinking about letting Joel Hefley (R, CO) know about the continuing waste that's going on. Probably nobody has told him about the $500,000 in TEA-21 money that's being wasted on #3713! Heck, if all Steamtown needs is something to putter around the yard with, it'd be a helluva of a lot cheaper to throw a set of tubes in 0-4-0T #43 than finish up the Pacific. That approach should go over well with a number of people here on RYPN as I have seen post after post in the past regarding the cost of rebuilding big steam that has no place to run.



fred.gracebailey@earthlink.net

> as I have seen post
> after post in the past regarding the cost of
> rebuilding big steam that has no place to
> run.

(1.) One Congressman's "vital and essential local project" is another Congressman's pork. Want to send the Colorado Member ballistic? Ask him to support eliminating the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's el-cheapo, below market pasture leases.

(2.) Might having a big steam engine ready to run trigger something of an "If you build it, they will come" response?

(3.) Instead of hashing over the present and past, would it not be more productive to figure out how to move us ahead in the policy arena?

(4.) That asked, what organization's ought to participate? And how would you propose to solicit meaningful input and comment from those railfans not formally affiliated with an organized museum/NRHS/R&LHS/ERA (are they still around?).