Is it possible, building from the Jim Baker thread, that railroad museum's should share a steam locomotive today?

Similar question - could we share videos, display, travelling exhibits?

If not - why not?

Not a question of can but of will. I sound like Yoda.......

dave

I agree with Dave. "Can" is the easy answer. But will we ever share large objects (as in loan, not trade or sale) is doubtful. Insurance is a big issue. And liability is another. Followed by expense of moving the object.

Wesley

While it may be possible, as the title of this topic suggests, for two or more museums to "share a steam locomotive," the logistics of such a practice could be daunting. The cost of moving the locomotive between facilities could also prove more than most could handle.

Smaller exhibits, however, are another matter, and this idea should definitely be explored where it makes sense.

Museums of all types share exhibits all the time. Usually, the museum owning the artifacts to be displayed will prepare a sort of "traveling show" of them to be circulated through a number of museums on a specific schedule, and a description of the exhibit and the schedule made public to allow people to plan to attend.

There is no reason we railroad museums could not do this as well, and indeed, I have wondered for many years why this was not done. I would be pleased to discuss this idea further with anyone interested.

In most cases either musuems share engines, or individuals hire out their own locos to various roads. Lots of reasons that it happens over there already, but the big two seem to be the relatively small size of the engines and the willingness of the national system to allow ferry moves.

Many roads schedule thier operations around thier "time" with a loco. The result is a varied operation within each season, with many reasons for visitors to return again the same year.

Rob

More and more, locos move from railway to railway by
low loader road rather than by rail.

The way the current situation is on many class 1s re: deadheading equipment, unless the steam engine can be trailered or put on a flat car(such as Flagg Coal 75 or Thomas) it isn't practical to consider sharing equipment between musems - unless there is a friendly short line between the museums, and that short line never changes ownership or management. Otherwise, deadheading steam engines, friction-bearing equipment, or anything that can't run in a regular freight train without special handling is difficult to impossible - and very, very expensive - on class 1 RRs today.

So, if SDRM plans to restore its SP steam engine, could it also be put on a flatcar to move to another museum economically? If so, SDRM could partner with other groups restoring SP steam engines - such as 786, 745, 2472, etc. and share an engine. Actually, not a bad idea.

Flagg Coal 75 and Thomas are both good examples of steam engines that are actively shared between musems and other non-profits. Jim, if you want to learn more about how this has worked I suggest getting in touch with the owners of the 75.

I will be on the Tecate train on 9/23.

Chris J.

Bob - I am VERY INTERESTED. What is the best way to discuss this issue?

For example, I could see PSRM putting up $1000 towards a professional type of display on _______ (how air brakes work, how steam locomotives work, how refer cars work, ....) and having that display travel amongst several museums.

How can we make that discussion fruitful?

Jim

Chris:

do you have contact info on #75?

See you on the 9/23. Look me up - I should be around.

Jim

I think you are assuming a fact not in evidence.

How many of the museums have the facilities to display either homegrown or traveling exhibits? Having an outside exhibit (or even inside a storage building) with description signs is one thing. But having a secure and visitor friendly exhibit hall is another.

This is part of the transition from just running our "toys" to telling the public about the history, technology, and importance of the railroad industry. It is part of becoming creditable to the larger population; to move away from the newspaper stories about the guys in their bib overalls and red bandanas running their big toys.

We do - and I'm still interested.

Several of the 2-footer museums in Maine share locos and rolling stock all the time.
they must move them by truck..of course, the engines are fairly small.

usually one of the Monson 0-4-4's moves between museums, I know one of the two Monson engines has visited Wiscasset, Monson and Phillips, from the "home base" in Portland.

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?20060 ... 313451.jpg

Scot

Here is a page that shows a photo of the delievery by truck:

http://www.srrl-rr.org/news/steam2005/steam_return.htm

Scot

Jim, the Flagg Coal 75 is owned by John and Barney Gramling. It is now kept with the PM 1225 in Owosso, MI where Barney is also the roundhouse foreman. Their web page is:

http://www.mstrp.com/

Barney's e-mail address can be found on the "about SRI" page.

I can think of at least five other moderately-sized SP steam engines besides the one at SDRM that are in various stages of repair: 2472, 2467, 745, 786, and the one for sale in Louisiana. Considering the tribulations these groups have had over the years with mechanical failures, finding homes, money, finding willing host RRs, etc. I think it would make a lot of sense to take one engine - such as 745 - and share it among your groups for part of the year. Just set up two flatcars for circus-style loading and send it around.

Chris Jacks.

Chris - unless sponsored by either BNSF or UP, moving a larger loco would be expensive. I do like the idea, however.

Jim