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Re: Western Railway Museum Railfan Day
Author: RVJ Refugee
Date: 08-06-2016 - 11:14
Quite a few years ago, when I was very active at the museum, I (more than once) tried to organize a "railfan day" type of event to increase interest and attendance from the enthusiast community. This would have included special equipment moves and displays, photo ops (including night photography), and other activities of railfan interest. The powers that be always rebuffed me, using the justification that "railfans just take pictures and don't spend any money." I suspect that the trolley fans fear and loathing of "real" trains and their followers (hence the concept of "tram nazis") was central to their attitude. This seemed so different from the attitude of the 1960s/70s, when we used to have the "Spring Railway Festival" that featured rail equipment of all types and brought out visitors in hordes. My first visit to the museum was the 1969 festival, one of several that included an excursion train from Oakland that took visitors directly to the site via an SP/SN routing. The museum collection included various types of rail equipment other than electric (which continues today, assuming that equipment finds favor with the ruling cabal, such as the Pullman cars).
A big change came as the result of a "retreat" held at the University of San Francisco about 1987, where certain museum members gathered to plan for the future. This was based on the findings of a hired consultant, who claimed our only path to survival was to differentiate ourselves from the California State Railroad Museum. I've always felt that this "revelation" was seized upon by the Tram Nazis as a way to insure their precedence, and perhaps survival. I was there at this retreat and for the changes that came after, and that is my distinct impression. It was after this that non-trolley projects began to be sabotaged financially by those in power, and various members (many very skilled and dedicated) began to be driven away.
Friends of mine who still go there today tell me it isn't much fun anymore, and as soon as the place closes to the public, the members go home rather than sticking around for a little fun and relaxation. I have heard that several younger people have become involved, but that the place still suffers do to a lack of personnel. This may help explain why this "railfan day" didn't amount to much. I attended the 2015 member's day, and felt there wasn't much going on, although the ones of the previous couple of years were much better.
A big change came as the result of a "retreat" held at the University of San Francisco about 1987, where certain museum members gathered to plan for the future. This was based on the findings of a hired consultant, who claimed our only path to survival was to differentiate ourselves from the California State Railroad Museum. I've always felt that this "revelation" was seized upon by the Tram Nazis as a way to insure their precedence, and perhaps survival. I was there at this retreat and for the changes that came after, and that is my distinct impression. It was after this that non-trolley projects began to be sabotaged financially by those in power, and various members (many very skilled and dedicated) began to be driven away.
Friends of mine who still go there today tell me it isn't much fun anymore, and as soon as the place closes to the public, the members go home rather than sticking around for a little fun and relaxation. I have heard that several younger people have become involved, but that the place still suffers do to a lack of personnel. This may help explain why this "railfan day" didn't amount to much. I attended the 2015 member's day, and felt there wasn't much going on, although the ones of the previous couple of years were much better.
