Eric,
Is there anyway we can make this happen? Even though E.B.T. does have its own crew, I'm sure it has more work than it does help. Is there a building or section the friends could concentrate on for a week without getting in anyone else's way?

If you want to contact the Rockhill Trolley Museum, I'm sure they'd be glad to hear from you. They have a very nice collection of electric cars from across the country, ranging from a four-car "Liberty Liner" from Philadelphia to a single-truck wooden streetcar from Portugal.

A link to their website is below.

Rockhill Trolley Museum

> Eric,
> Is there anyway we can make this happen?
> Even though E.B.T. does have its own crew,
> I'm sure it has more work than it does help.
> Is there a building or section the friends
> could concentrate on for a week without
> getting in anyone else's way?

Not on the operating EBT, they have a very strict no volunteers policy. Some of the reasons include, in no partiular order: 1. liability concerns and 2. a perception in the local community that any work volunteers might do is taking bread out of the mouths of the paid staff.

When the EBT does need some extra hands they go exclusively to the Rockhill Trolley Museum, with whom they have a 30-year relationship of trust.

Again, Robertsdale is a different matter. Feel free to contact me back channel to discuss further.


eledbetter@mail.rypn.org

> Thank you Erik Ledbetter. The ball of wax could not have been said any better, not even from an EBT employee. I would however like to take a minute and emphasize a few points. They are,1. come out and ride the train, buy souvenirs, and then ride the trolley. Now you have dropped as much as cash into the property as the next guy has. Ridership is everything. Then, if you like what you saw, tell your friends, or better yet bring a group. We offer handsome group rates for 20 or more. Maybe you want to charter a train. Last year we had several groups that chartered our coal train and had a grand time. As someone said the way to the EBT on a volunteer basis is through the Trolley Museum. They now have a 40 year relationship with the EBT. They(Rockhill Trolley Museum)also are as mentioned earlier in the midst of a track extension. The largest such project undertaken by the Museum. Take a minute and join the Trolley Museum, in addition to all the work you care for, they from time to time have special private "Fan Trips" on the EBT, such as their annual picnic at Colgate Grove. Anyway, I will not waste any more space here bandstanding for the great EBT. You other folks have said enough. If you want further info please contact me. Now you ask what makes me an authority, well I am one of the EBT employees and a 22 year member of the Trolley musuem.
> >
>

dbrightbill@penn.com

At least aluminum siding is quiet. My favorite part of the Steamtown Mall was that god-awful Muzak that blasts out of the parking garage all day long. I think I'd go postal if I had to listen to that on a regular basis.

bobyar2001@yahoo.com

> Folks,

You have mentioned the changes that I have heard about for the collection.

It was the Cranbrook, BC museum that is rumored to be asking for the 4-4-4 Jubilee engine. It pulled one of the train sets that the museum is assembling for their latest expansion.

Ted Miles

ted_miles@NPS.gov

> For me personally, I respect Mr. Kovalchick,
> and grateful to him for everything his
> family has done, and would not challenge his
> right to manage his property as he sees fit.
> That said, I hope someday he and the public
> agencies can come to terms, so thr public
> can invest in the irreplaceable asset the EBT
> really is. It will take a lot of work on
> both sides, but someday perhaps we'll get
> there.

Eric you sum it up very well. Our firm wrote the grant application for the Kovalchick's three years ago. Joe and the family do care a great deal about these historic assets. They take seriously their role as custodians. Yet it is a hard decision to make to release some control for grant funding.

Stone Consulting stands ready to assist in the preservation should anything change. The best we can do is to be supportive. Support the current operation. Go and if you watch the train, buy a ticket. All the money, and more, goes to repair and operate the railroad. Join and support The Friends. Long term we believe that they will play a greater role. The C&TS is a great model for what could happen at the EBT.


Stone Consulting & Design
garylandrio@stoneconsulting.com