You foolishly presume that 1) this discussion was actually read by anyone in the NRHS that cared, 2) that the ones deemed in need of reform actually recognized themselves as such, and 3) that those who even went as far as caring actually had any ability to change even if the spirit was willing.

I can take the comments about NRHS Chapter web presence to heart; the one web-savvy IT guy we had in our chapter departed the Chapter on not-very-favorable terms (largely for all the reasons outlined in this thread and then some) after setting up our website, and no one's been able yet to figure out what to do to maintain a web presence. We had one chap volunteer, but we frankly haven't seen him since.

Indeed, the outcome certainly was predictable!

Regarding the website situation, maybe the national organization should offer to host websites for the chapters that are in need of the service, and provide unified technical support for them.

Our company offered, several years ago, to host for any NRHS chapter "at cost" (about $39.00/year) and to provide support. We NEVER received a response from the NRHS in response to the offer. (We also offered technical and design support free).

Akin to the website discussion and relative to the NRHS thread, the gents in charge of the NRHS and the RailCamp program commissioned a RailCamp site redesign a few weeks ago, with the possibility of a complete NRHS-wide site redesign in the coming months.

Here's a photo of the landing page. There is no live address yet.



Kelly Lynch

'Educating America's Future Railroaders' ?
On steam power ?
Really ?

argh!!!!!!!

Dave

Kind of stresses the need for "continuing education", doesn't it!
Lots of railroaders where I work. Sorry, no steam locomotives though.

Well, while I would suspect the steam locomotive is a "hook" or a "traditional" image for Railcamp, the basics of railroading really are not much different whether steam or diesel is the motive power. From descriptions I've read of Railcamp at Scranton, the NPS diesel fleet is also used, in fact, there is some throttle time on the GP9 for the participants.

It seems that a good deal of what occures at Railcamp replicates experiences that many of us had with our "intro to railroading" 30-40-50 years ago--- the engine cab visit/ride on the local freight that called at our town, the escorted shop tour on a fan trip, the sort of thing that simply has vanished today, and with it , the "accessibility" to interested young adults.

Having the "real" railroad industry particpate is important (my opinion only as a non-NRHS person), as the industry continually bemoans the lack of motivated recruits, at the same time that many current railroaders will soon be retiring. But, I suspect the rail industry will turn up it's collective nose at Railcamp and think it's just a "breeding ground for buffs". Frankly, the railroad industry could use more people that have an interest in it.

HP

NRHS has the opportunity to inform and educate their members on topics related to the railroad industry and the preservation community at their chapter meetings and national convention. Unfortunately they don't seem very interested in doing so, as the lack of attention given to the historical programs in the summary of their recent convention attests. There are a couple of chapters that show an interest in hosting programs with technical or historical content, but they are the exception. With most of the chapters I have visited, the primary interests seem to be "pretty picture" member slide shows (that often are really just current events - somebody's recent vacation pictures) and watching videos of old movies.

MXdata,

(again, I don't understand why people don't post with their real names here - I probably sat right next to you at a meeting but didn't know it)

Chapter programs are put on by the volunteer members, and every Chapter I know of needs more volunteers to run Chapter events such as meetings. If you want to see more programs of a certain type at NRHS Chapter meetings, have you volunteered to put on such a show at your local Chapter? Or to organize such a show for your local Chapter? Once you have a show put together for your local Chapter offer to present it to other Chapters when you visit them - many of them will be interested.

While the problems at the NRHS may be evident, the root of the problem is no one is willing to take the bull by the horns and tackle these problems. However, the NRHS (especially the Chapters) are small enough that one person can come in and do a lot of good.

If you need help or suggestions to accomplish the above please let me know - I am a very interested participant in the NRHS as well.

Chris Jacks.

I can't let this one pass. About two years ago I sent out a letter (no emails) to every NRHS Chapter in NY, NJ and PA along the route of the Erie Lackawanna (or reasonably close). I offered to do a presentation on the history of dining car operations on the Erie, DL&W, and EL followed by the story of our dining car restoration efforts. To date I have been to 3 chapters, with one coming up next week. Four out of 28 chapters contacted. I sent out the offer again late last year to the 24 that did not respond and I heard nothing. None of the letters were returned so someone received them.

I have had much better luck with single focus railroad groups, museums, and non-railroad local groups.

As someone who has 1) given shows for my own chapters, and 2) solicited others to give programs for my chapters, let me respond:

The program chairperson (who are we kidding, chairman) typically is lucky if he can get a good response from within his own chapter. Even a large chapter might be blessed with only a dozen good photographers that can also be trusted to edit their shows consistently and coherently, if that.

Supposing I want to invite one of you to give a show to my local chapter. Are you available on a Monday night? Can we find a place for you to crash overnight, or do we pay for a motel? Do we pay your gas and dinner? Okay, that's $100 or so, divided by maybe 50-some members that show up, even if I pull out Ross Rowland, Preston Cook, or Linn Moedinger. Is that an appropriate response and reception?

I actually DO have a decent arsenal of folks upon whom I could call for a program. We have one of them coming for our annual banquet in November (thanks again, Mr. Levin!!). But can I ask them to come to what might at best be a lackluster turn-out? I understand such a fear is chronic among every chapter with which I've talked. If we advertised the program in the newspapers, would it add any to the attendance?

There are chapters that struggle with three-figure budgets. I personally know of several with six-figure budgets. Without excursions to run or stations to repair, what do we expect a chapter to do? I argue that expenditure on worthwhile programs and events will recoup returns via publicity and goodwill--and if not, well, why are we donating money to these chapters anyway?

And wouldn't it be nice if the national organization kept some kind of a list of programs and presenters and made it available to the entertainment chairpersons of the local chapters? This would help avert the kind of situation Tim described (that I have experienced too) where offers to provide help by doing programs just disappear unaccountably. (Does it seem like there is an echo in here?)

Y'know, these days the technology exists to send someone a HELL of a program on a simple 25-cent CD-R and a simple cardboard envelope with a postage stamp. I have THREE such programs by the esteemable Mel Patrick on CD right here. All I need is a computer/laptop and a computer projector and speakers, or a computer and monitor with speakers.

Oh, wait, we're still buying bulbs for the Kodak carousel slide projector and the 8mm and 16mm movie projector, aren't we? (At least *I* have for my NRHS chapter in the past year!!!!!!)

Do you wanna know why we look like dinosaurs, folks? It ain't the steam locomotives and baggage carts, I'll tell you that much now.

At least our chapter has committed to the purchase of the LED projector before the November banquet, I'll give them that much.

Sandy, you make some very good points.

Yet, I wonder how some presenters would feel about sending their work out into the ether...outside of their control.

The other 'issue' (if it is one) is that some of these presentations might lose something if the presenter is not in the room. A sterling example of this would be 'Inside EMD.'


Dave

The better programs, including most specifically Mel Patrick's, come complete with all editing, sequencing, fade-ins and fade-outs, narration, sound effects, and music all on the soundtrack, ready to run with one mouse click. The only reason it's not a DVD is because there's no video--and, indeed, one could just as easily drop in video among the still images.

It's all in the editing. The next generation of rail photographers will be doing this seamlessly and coherently on their Macs and PCs. The question is, will we be available as an audience, or are we all just a bunch of fuddy-duddies hugging our precious Kodachrome and Airequipt cartridges and reel-to-reel tapes?