[redacted]

Whether or not this is really true (and I suspect it might well be--we're going through a similar "save the railroad" campaign with the Western Maryland Scenic RR right now), may I offer a suggestion:

Do NOT just copy and paste the text of the offered letter directly. Modify and customize it in some manner. ANY manner. Print it and mail it.

I've spoken with both lawmakers and newspaper editors that are routinely bemoaning the fact that the electronics age has made mass-targeting of complaints so easy. Newspaper columnists are currently lampooning bulk-complaint campaigns that all contain the same four spelling errors and two errors of fact, and are originating from places where no one should have ever have seen the original editorial or column. Generally, even though staff may have little more ability than to pile up e-mails on an issue, they ARE saying stuff such as ". . . . and 384 copies of the PETA bed bug letter...." (which basically gets reduced to one point on the register).

In my case, for example, I would be saying "I hear wonderful things about this fine time capsule of a railroad, and I long for the day when I have enough money to go out there and see it. Aside from the Nevada State RR Museum, it's about the ONLY thing that could ever bring me to Nevada. Please consider saving this historic gem for future generations."

Short and to the point.

Excuse me, I think I have to send that as an e-mail............

Whether or not this is really true (and I suspect it might well be--we're going through a similar "save the railroad" campaign with the Western Maryland Scenic RR right now), may I offer a suggestion:

Do NOT just copy and paste the text of the offered letter directly. Modify and customize it in some manner. ANY manner. Print it and mail it.

I've spoken with both lawmakers and newspaper editors that are routinely bemoaning the fact that the electronics age has made mass-targeting of complaints so easy. Newspaper columnists are currently lampooning bulk-complaint campaigns that all contain the same four spelling errors and two errors of fact, and are originating from places where no one should have ever have seen the original editorial or column. Generally, even though staff may have little more ability than to pile up e-mails on an issue, they ARE saying stuff such as ". . . . and 384 copies of the PETA bed bug letter...." (which basically gets reduced to one point on the register).

In my case, for example, I would be saying "I hear wonderful things about this fine time capsule of a railroad, and I long for the day when I have enough money to go out there and see it. Aside from the Nevada State RR Museum, it's about the ONLY thing that could ever bring me to Nevada. Please consider saving this historic gem for future generations."

Short and to the point.

Excuse me, I think I have to send that as an e-mail............

Dear Sir,

The issue before the NNRy Museum is the politics of bill being stuck in committee. The politicts of the state of Nevada have several bills held up in the Appropriations Committee. We need to break the bill loose before the session ends in 30 days and we have to wait another two years for a legislative opportunity. The railroad will not close if we do not have the bill but it will make it harder to carry out plans for the future. Notice that Marks list is for non operational items.

Robby Peartree
RFE Nevada Northern Railway Museum

The e-mail from me was to notify members of the Nevada Northern Railway family that we have a bill pending in front of this session of the legislature. You beat me to the punch in that I had planned to do a posting this morning. Information on the bill is on our website and was in our last newsletter. As a non-profit, I have to be careful how much political stuff that I do.

Rather than repeat the e-mail (it is in the first message) the NN Ry does need your help in getting the bill out of committee. We have a very ambitious program. We are repairing the locomotives and equipment here (we got 40 new tubes and she’s back in service, 81 is next) and we’re working on the track and buildings. But we need water and sewer repairs that will divert money from the historical preservation programs to basic capital improvements. We can do this but I would rather have water and sewer help from the state and we will continue taking care of the historic aspects of the property. If the bill doesn’t pass, we’ll go to Plan B.

As I said in my e-mail, Where we are undaunted by our responsibilities and we are working towards self-sufficiency, we do need immediate help. This is why AB 424 is essential to the museum; it addresses these public safety needs so we can showcase this Nevadan National Historic District to the public on its Centennial.
If the bill passes that will put us one step closer to becoming that showcase. If you have any ideas or suggestions please let me know.

Thanks,
Mark S Bassett
Executive Director
Nevada Northern Railway Museum

[redacted]

Christian,
Thanks for asking the question, I'll keep you posted on how everything turns out.
Thanks,
Mark