When I worked at MOT this was a frequent situation, visitors telling me they wished this or that loco was restored. I usually spent some time talking to them about how if we had the money this would take we would rather spend it on shelter for many items instead of putting it all into just one, which would still have no where to go on our very limited trackage. That 's the reality of having the biggest collection of steam locos in North America. Most reluctantly agreed, some wouldn't even listen to that idea, but I didn't get into arguements about it.

This discussion has given me an idea for our 2007 season. Along with our professionally printed Museum Guide that is given to everyone who visits the Railroaders Memorial Museum or Horseshoe Curve, next year I think we will include a handout detailing each project underway in the Museum yard, what can be done to help if a visitor wants to get dirty, and a reminder that donations to the cause are welcome.

We too make every attempt to be polite and courteous but I'm not at all bashful about suggesting to anyone who starts with "you oughtta" that I have a wire wheel and a paint brush with their name on it.

Our Board meetings are open to the public and we welcome public input at those meetings. I must say - we rarely get any.

Thanks

Scott Cessna
President & CEO
Railroaders Memorial Museum
Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark

Ya know, this could get interesting.

I'm a former board member of a couple places. Usually it was in the form of "director-at-large" or the like.

There were times when even, as an official, I had trouble getting formal notification of the next board meeting. Read into that what you will--they hated me, they were sloppily informal, etc. But goodness, to heck with the public, what about regular members that wanted to do something?

Altoona may well be an unusual situation. But how many museums/etc. in our interest have ANY real public forum for input? Suppose you're a neighbor of the Illinois Railway Museum, or the California State RR Museum, or even the Little Podunk Railroad Museum. Be it a hole in the fence gone unrepaired or a desire to see more about the Chinese role in the construction of the railroads, does a member of the public have any input? Does the museum care? Can the public find out? How?

At IRM Board meetings are scheduled every month and dates published in advance and usually posted in the open area of the office hallway. Members are free to attend whether on the board or not and many take advantage of this situation. In addition to the directors attending, all department heads are encouraged to attend and to submit monthly reports of activity. When contacted by non member public, donors, or sponsors they will be informed of the next scheduled meeting, and can attend. A spot on the agenda will be provided and this has happened a few times this year, including topics such as fundraising and land conservation.

Internal matters are not discussed in the 'open' forum of the meeting (such as personel issues and some finance items) and those are reserved for a 'closed' session at the end of each board meeting.

Bob Kutella

That is an excellent idea, Scott, and one most of us can implement in some form or another as well. I have a frame on our poster wall where a list of such projects could be placed, and will suggest our Education Committee get a display together indicating the current restoration projects.