strong partnerships with host railroads and employs a dedicated crew of volunteers to make this happen. The kinds of experience provided by FWRHS could not be replicated on typical museum grounds confined to a half-mile of track. Many museums have extensive collec-
tions of equipment, some of which they may not have the means to restore and display properly. An example would be Milwaukee Road 261, built by Alco in 1944, and retired in 1954. It was donated to the National Rail- road Museum in Green Bay, Wisc., in 1958. Restoration and operation of the engine was not possible at the museum grounds, so the locomotive became a static display. In 1991, a lease agreement was made with North Star Rail to rebuild the locomotive and re- turn it to regular operation pulling excur- sions all over the Midwest. It was a win-win for both organizations, the museum was able to see an important part of their collection restored and operated, and North Star Rail had a powerful main line locomotive to pull long, profitable excursion trains. In 2010, the locomotive was acquired by Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (the former “Friends of the 261”), and continues to oper- ate following a recent multi-year rebuild. Tourist railroads and museums have les-
sons to learn from one another. In some re- spects, the for-profit tourist lines have taken many cues from their preservation brethren when it comes to recreating “authentic” train ride experiences. Likewise, the non- profit museums have picked up many of the marketing concepts to help bring in more visitors and help define their mission and goals. How many times have you scoffed and smirked when your local line announces (yet another) “Day Out with Thomas” or some other special train featuring a grotesque cartoon character? Do you turn your backs on the Easter Bunny Trains, Santa Express- es, Fall Foliage Specials, and other themed events? Do you roll your eyes when you see a caboose full of happy riders bringing up the markers of a passenger train? Despite your feelings towards some of these trains, the creation of these events is what draws ordi- nary people off the street. It is operations like these that pay for the sacred “Railfan Day” featuring proper consists behind restored lo- comotives flying white flags into the sun. For as many successful operations there
are you can also find an equal number of failures. The reasons are many, from track abandonment, bridge washout, major equip- ment breakdown, change in management, loss of lease, rising costs for insurance and fuel, or some other economic factor beyond control. If there is something to be learned, it’s that nothing is permanent. If you’re a member of the general public, please sup- port your local operations however you can. For the volunteers, workers, and board members of these operations, it is important that you keep focused on your mission and find new ways to keep your visitors engaged. Listen to their feedback. Ask for advice from colleagues. Seek out new partnerships with other like-minded organizations. In short, do whatever you have to do to keep those trains running for the next generation to enjoy.
Associate editor Otto M. Vondrak is a trustee of the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum in Rochester, N.Y., and has been an active volunteer with many historic preser- vation groups throughout the northeast.
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