Friends,

I have to say, RYPN is a great outlet for all of us. I have pulled some interesting quotes from our discussion which stand on their own merit for fact or humor. They absolutely speak to the value of this board.

I meant what I said, IÂ’d love to have all of us at a table discussing this. Until then, enjoy... and pass a slice of pepperoni and the garlic powder, will you?

Rob

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If restoration to operation would destroy a large amount of the artifact's historical significance, then don't. Some things are best preserved by static display, while others are best preserved by restoration and operation. -- David Wilkins

And if a crown sheet drops in the forest and nobody is there to hear it fall, did it make any noise and was it from Rhode Island? - Iron Dave Lathrop

Restoration approaches vary for practical, ethical or legal reasons. Legally, we don't use asbestos anymore in the USA since it is carcenogenic here. It isn't carcenogenic in Canada so maybe they still use it? Don't know....but they also still have good lead paint I think. -- Iron Dave

(Referring to the Pennsy elders) You know, that is the same logic that would rather have your grandfather embalmed in a coffin in the front room, rather than subject him to modern medical treatment that would allow him to remain a living, breathing and vital part of the family. -- HRMOÂ’briph

The compulsion of the railfan community that "everything must run" consists of a vocal minority who often lack an understanding of professional museum practices and do not fully grasp proper conservation methodology and preservation ethics. IMHO, the railway preservation field still has a long way to mature before it can seriously join the ranks of other public history museums who have adopted and applied such professional preservation ethics and standards to their artifact collections. -- Kurt Bell

Everybody should probably take at least an introductory course in accounting at some point in their lives. - Randall Hicks

I am very happy to see Curator Bell (Re: Speaking of PRR 1223 & 7002 below) actually state that railway vehicles are historical objects and need preservation. In the real world of historical museums the first and most rigid rule of preservation is do no harm. In nearly every instance except in the largely outdoor railway museums, this is interpreted to mean "do little restoration and NO reconstruction." Conserve everything that you acquire is basic museum ethics for historically and/or mechanically valuable objects. There is a substantial literature, much of it very recent, on preservation. T0 propose otherwise is Mr BellÂ’s "red flag." This is why no steam railroad museum is certified by the American Association of Museums. - J. Boykin

Think about the damage to be caused by the next FRA certification. - J. Boykin

AAM doesn't have standards which are applicable to this situation nor have they seen fit to develop them so no surprise nobody qualifies. Applying standards very workable for well funded collections of fabric, paper and fine arts with professional curation are fine and well for those institutions but not for our industry at this stage of maturity and development. - Iron Dave

It is always interesting when the ivory tower types deign to comment on such lowly pion mechanics as those involved in historic railwaypreservation, when it it was the mechanics and the enthusiasts that have saved most of the hardware we now have. Back when items were available tobe preserved, the "serious" academic community was only interested in archives(if that),corperate actions, and documenting the rich and famous thatwere involved in railroad construction/organization. Thats why we know more about Gould and Morgan, than we do Winans and Woodard. -- HRMOÂ’briph

Actually, we have a couple of old wooden passenger cars at our place that were used as houses by section foremen (sans running gear). A couple of children were born in one. Perhaps interpreting these as houses would provide a more interesting exhibit than being another wooden car with a different floorplan from the others displayed. - C. Wylde

Running #7002 was a wonderful sight. But it also was a sin to alter the incredible state she was in pre-restoration. Even though I foamed all over at Paoli watching her, my minute of pleasure was, is, and never will be equal to what future generations could have had of here with her chalk marks and other PRR-era goodies lost in the restoration. - Rob Davis

It boils down to "what's good for me" vs. "what's good for the artifact". This separates the true preservationist from the railfan, whose main goal is another smoking photograph. - Bob Yarger

For what it's worth, in doing some research in museum publications on the problems of restoration documentation I found that the aviation and automotive folks have this same problem over what to do with their artifacts. Many auto museums pride themselves on the fact that all their cars and trucks are operable. Aircraft that look used are not often seen in museums, they all look fresh from assembly and awaiting the first flight. No oil streaks, leaks, stains or anything. And there are those who feel that if it isn't flyable it's wrong, to the point that the only surviving example of a few planes were flown until they crashed and were a total loss, not to mention the crew. - Ron Goldfelder

Have I ever given a second thought to "destroying historic fabric", ..nope, but I must say having the boiler inspector, the insurance agency and others give their nod of approval makes you forget about that stuff. - B. Hume

(In reference to the sectioned Pacific "Ellerman Lines" at the National Railway Museum in York.) That steam locomotive is a serious candidate for "most over-preserved class of locomotive in Britain". - Alexander D. Mitchell IV

I'll take a single grubby, living, breathing, fire-snorting 2-8-0 over a whole roundhouse full of pristine, restored, preserved *cold*locomotives any day. Just watch which one folks will go gawk at! -- G.W. Laepple

The best RR museum I've been to only had a caboose. - M. Nix

This is not a war. If anything, it's almost an orgy. - Rob Davis


superc@monmouth.com

With all of that and more,did you notice that the Interchange rolls on?
Our thanks go out to everyone who voices their opinions on Railway Preservation News.

Brian Hebert


RyPN Links
bhebert@rypn.org

Wow, I think I can now claim that I am "published" In the end, I think that discussions about the subject of railway preservation will lead to the truth, which lies in between both camps somehwere. If anything, my invovlement in Railway preservation has changed my outlook on the whole matter. My views have matured, thanks to this site, and many others. Oh well, back to studying for finals. If I read another word about the First Five Year Plan.....

wilkidm@wku.edu

First, flattered that I was quoted almost as much as Rob quoted himself......

Second, we do have a great community here and engage in some worthy, thought provoking discussions from time to time. Not sure we will ever get to world peace but it helps us make our little pieces of the world better understood.

Dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

> First, flattered that I was quoted almost as
> much as Rob quoted himself......
That is, indeed, somthing to be proud of!


Rob

superc@monmouth.com

> First, flattered that I was quoted almost as
> much as Rob quoted himself......
That is, indeed, something to be proud of!


Rob

superc@monmouth.com