 |
Re: Western Railway Museum Railfan Day
Author: RVJ Refugee
Date: 08-07-2016 - 20:10
A few observations on the above posts--
I suspect the dearth of equipment operating on a normal day, and the fact that the carbarns are closed, are effects of a lack of volunteers. You really need to keep an eye on people in a secluded place like a carbarn so accidents and theft are avoided.
Every time they've had an executive director has been a disaster. I think it's because this leader views the volunteers as "friends of the museum" when in fact they ARE the museum. (Remember the "Domanatrix," Dr. Z?) Apparently, there have been instances where members have been told certain areas were off-limits to them because they were not "authorized." After having helped build the shop back in the 70s, a couple years ago I had to ask to be let in.
It's true about the Prairie Trains: once the "train" people had left in disgust, the Board had the gall to say "they don't run anymore because nobody wants to work on them." I was there from the beginning of that operation, and saw the huge volume of visitors and income they brought in. The Tram Nazis evidently felt threatened.
I'm still unhappy about SN 712 going to Portola (no doubt partially because I worked on it). That locomotive--Sacramento Northern's very last--perfectly fit the museum's collection policy. However, we were told it (and WP 917, which also fit the collection policy until that policy was changed IN SECRET, without the knowledge of the general membership) was "too heavy." Funny thing, but Kennecott Copper 407 weighs at least as much. Oh but never mind, it's electric!
The individual that was mentioned, who told people they "must" go to the gift shop and that the park was off-limits was probably some officious goofball making up his own rules.
I highly doubt any of the powers-that-be would learn anything from this thread (as was suggested above), as I'm sure none of them would ever see it.
When my personal circumstances made it impossible for me to remain active at the museum two decades ago, I felt bad that I could no longer be there and contribute to that marvellous undertaking. Eventually, I didn't feel bad anymore, and that kind of made me feel bad. Now, I don't feel bad that I don't feel bad, but I still care a great deal about the place.
I suspect the dearth of equipment operating on a normal day, and the fact that the carbarns are closed, are effects of a lack of volunteers. You really need to keep an eye on people in a secluded place like a carbarn so accidents and theft are avoided.
Every time they've had an executive director has been a disaster. I think it's because this leader views the volunteers as "friends of the museum" when in fact they ARE the museum. (Remember the "Domanatrix," Dr. Z?) Apparently, there have been instances where members have been told certain areas were off-limits to them because they were not "authorized." After having helped build the shop back in the 70s, a couple years ago I had to ask to be let in.
It's true about the Prairie Trains: once the "train" people had left in disgust, the Board had the gall to say "they don't run anymore because nobody wants to work on them." I was there from the beginning of that operation, and saw the huge volume of visitors and income they brought in. The Tram Nazis evidently felt threatened.
I'm still unhappy about SN 712 going to Portola (no doubt partially because I worked on it). That locomotive--Sacramento Northern's very last--perfectly fit the museum's collection policy. However, we were told it (and WP 917, which also fit the collection policy until that policy was changed IN SECRET, without the knowledge of the general membership) was "too heavy." Funny thing, but Kennecott Copper 407 weighs at least as much. Oh but never mind, it's electric!
The individual that was mentioned, who told people they "must" go to the gift shop and that the park was off-limits was probably some officious goofball making up his own rules.
I highly doubt any of the powers-that-be would learn anything from this thread (as was suggested above), as I'm sure none of them would ever see it.
When my personal circumstances made it impossible for me to remain active at the museum two decades ago, I felt bad that I could no longer be there and contribute to that marvellous undertaking. Eventually, I didn't feel bad anymore, and that kind of made me feel bad. Now, I don't feel bad that I don't feel bad, but I still care a great deal about the place.
