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We’re Better Together!
EXPLORING THE COMPLEX WORLD OF HISTORIC RAILWAY PRESERVATION Get Some Help
It’s late 1944, and the unit commander has arrived to start loading equipment and supplies. That was the scene during Memorial Day 1999 when Steamtown NHS in Scranton, Pa., sponsored a special event with an encampment of World War II reenactors. Teaming up with other like-minded groups is a great way to build recognition and generate interest in your organization. STEVE BARRY
IF THERE’S ONE POINT I HAVE TRIED TO STRESS repeatedly in this column, it’s anyone visiting your museum is there to have fun. Of course, trains are already “fun” to us, so sometimes we forget that many people walking through the door are having their first-ever experience with railroads. They don’t know that trains are fun all by themselves, right? Well, not exactly... As many railroads continue to retreat
from the public spotlight, or consolidate their operations to some far-off corporate office, it becomes increasingly difficult for your visitors to understand what it is you’re trying to accomplish and why you are working so hard to preserve some old, rusty trains. Maybe the same old message to “Come See/Ride Our Trains This Weekend!” is falling short because the public just doesn’t comprehend what that involves. Why would anyone want to stand around and just see some trains? What you need is an attraction. Rather than
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waste precious resources to invent something out of thin air, consider some partnerships that may help expose your organization to an entirely new demographic.
Add Some Life Whether your group is in charge of dozens
of pieces of operating railroad equipment and miles of branch line, or just a single caboose on panel track outside of a restored depot, you have probably wondered about possible ways to make your collection “come to life.” Where I volunteer at the Rochester & Geneseee Valley Railroad Museum we have a couple of train order forks on display in the agent’s office inside our restored depot. Tour guides would describe what they were used for, which is a good start. However, I’ll never forget the first time I saw them in use, when one of our volunteers, dressed in period clothing as a station agent, used the forks to deliver “orders” to some of the visitors
riding on the open decks of our trains. It was a brilliant way not only to demonstrate how the artifacts were used, but also a great way to engage our visitors. Our museum would be so lucky to have
dozens of additional volunteers waiting in the wings to roam about the grounds in period costume, demonstrating various aspects of operation and populating our collection of equipment. Think of the experience you might get at Colonial Williamsburg or some other similar attraction. However, few railroad museums have those kind of valuable resources available as volunteers. There are some alternatives, however. Historical Reenactors: American rail-
roads have been tied to the military since the days of the Civil War. In the 20th century, the ability to quickly move troops and equipment by rail was seen as a strategic advantage. As much as we work to present authentic representations of railroad history, reenac- tors also strive to portray a particular period in time to the best of their ability. Through the use of accurate uniforms and equipment, as well as a certain discipline to stay “in char- acter,” any moment in time can be recreated. There are a number of active groups around the country that focus on everything from American expansion into the “Old West” to military engagements of the Civil War, World War I and World War II. Partnering with a reenactment group
would be a great way to build upon your mu- tual interest in history. Imagine if your visi- tors could explore an encampment of soldiers preparing for battle, or ride your trains with a unit coming home from the war. Not only would there be great teachable moments, but very interesting photo opportunities as well. Classic Cars: People love it when I tell
them the locomotive pulling our train is more than 60 years old and still going strong. Visitors admire the polished brass bell on the
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