locomotive as much as the original rattan seats in the coach. Everyone loves old machines, especially if they have been restored to do the work they were first designed for. Invite members from a local automobile
club to display at your museum. Get in touch with antique farm equipment collectors. Either way, make sure you ask months in advance, since many exhibitors usually have a full schedule of appearances once warm weather arrives. Some groups will ask for an honorarium or some other consideration for their members. Usually the only requirement is to have a safe, flat area (on grass or pavement) to display. Each group is different, so make sure to set up ground rules and expectations right away. The social connection between restored machines of all kinds is natural. You may even score some new volunteers as a result. Model Meet-ups: The last few years have
seen a revival of mid-century “rockabilly” and “pin-up” culture. Think cuffed jeans and a more “PG” Betty Page. Photographers and models alike are always looking for new locations to take period photos. What better place than your museum? Anyone who is interested in vintage clothing and retro- styling will probably also enjoy spending some time around your trains. The models will get some unique photos, and you’ll introduce a whole new group of people to your operation. Work out a deal with the photographers, and you might have some fun shots you can use as promotional material! In the January 2015 edition of PRESERVATION TOPICS, Bo Gray described a project he put together for the Bluegrass Railroad Museum in Versailles, Ky. Using an enthusiastic pin-up model and some World War II reenactors posed around the property, he was able to produce a unique calendar that has sold very well in the museum gift shop.
Make it Fun Winter is usually when we brainstorm our
special event calendar for the coming season. One of our board members suggested having a children’s event, something with games, food, and other entertainment. We tossed around some ideas about where we could find balloons and who would be willing to entertain the kids for hours on end. Rather than do it ourselves, one of our members suggested we look into hiring some entertainers. Professional Entertainers: While there
would be some up-front cost to booking someone, in exchange we would be getting a trained professional ready to deal with hordes of screaming children on a regular basis. Not sure where to find someone? Ask around with some parents of young children for ideas. Perhaps a magician can ride along with your passengers and perform tricks. An artist who can create balloon animals is always popular. For a more adult crowd, consider hiring a band. Whatever path you decide, hiring a professional will free you to concentrate on running the railroad. Food Trucks, Catering: Food makes everything fun — that’s why carnivals and other events are packed with concessions. There’s a wonderful trend emerging across the country of re-imagined food trucks offering everything from gourmet macaroni and cheese to bacon-wrapped Asian-fusion cuisine and everything in between. Some even specialize in vegetarian fare and other specialties. Since many of these trucks enjoy a loyal following of their own, this would be a great way to get
new visitors through the door. Another idea is to try some professional catering for a special event, like a chicken barbecue. Piggyback on the popularity of a local favorite and let someone else worry about the cooking!
Volunteer For a Day
All organizations struggle to find new volunteer resources. We often find ourselves short-handed, which means we have to prioritize our projects to make the best use of our time. That often means certain tasks fall to the bottom of the list, even though they may also be important. Spend a day putting a coat of paint on the fence along the parking lot or installing a brake valve so your primary locomotive is back up and running again...? These are the tough choices we are forced to make on a regular basis. We often invite local Scout troops to camp
out overnight at our museum. After a tour of our museum and a little instruction in the Railroading merit badge, we invite them to take part in a service project. Boy Scouts range in age from 11 to 17, so it’s important to find tasks that are age-appropriate. Raking leaves, clearing drains of debris, painting things like signposts and outbuildings, and stacking firewood are all good examples. Make sure there is enough adult supervision for whatever activity you choose. Many corporations encourage their employees to volunteer their time, either individually or as part of a group event. A few years ago, we had the benefit of a large group from Kodak who helped us get a coat of much-needed primer on one of our wooden freight cars. Do some research, and make sure everyone is aware you are eligible for such opportunities. No matter who you invite onto your property, safety and liability are important factors to take into consideration. Review all safety procedures and insist on proper footwear and clothing. For example, all Scouts are covered by their own policy as long as it is an official troop activity and they have filed the appropriate tour permits with their council. Check with your insurance agent to make sure your policy covers not only your own members and volunteers but also other visitors.
Where Do We Go From Here? Over the last few years, I have used this
column to periodically explore “the complex world of historic railway preservation.” Our goal was to give railfans a “peek behind the curtain” as well as provide a forum for ideas to help organizations of all sizes and purpose. I’ve used my own limited experience as a visitor, volunteer, and officer of various groups around the country. It’s a big world of preservation out there, one that stretches far beyond the bumpers at the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. To that end, I’d like to hear about some of the unique challenges that are faced by your organization, and how you overcame them. Let’s hear about your triumphs and successes, as well. Please contact me by email at
otto@railfan.com with your ideas and suggestions. And don’t forget, Jeff Terry is always looking for preservation items for our RAILNEWS section. You can contact him at
steamnews@railfan.com.
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 historical preservation groups throughout the Northeast.
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