Scott Schiechl Wrote:
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> I would like to know why many railfans on this and
> other discussion board seem to enjoy bashing
> railroad museums...Get over it!

I could add my two cents here, but it appears that there is no room for a rational discussion of some of the problems afflicting some railroad preservation groups/museums/clubs out there by referring to any dissent as "bashing", and to simply "get over it".

It's this kind of attitude that has turned off many people, and when the only people who are welcomed into the groups are those who agree with the leaders 110% of the time there's a reason why there are more railfans than those directly involved with preservation. I'd love to be more involved, but I have been made to feel so unwelcome at most groups that I've given up. There are a few that did welcome me (one is over 1,000 miles away, another is 150 miles away - so neither of them are groups that I can actively participate in); one is closer that I was a one-time member but had to cut my participation due to personal reasons that existed at the time that I haven't been welcomed back to, and another is a model railroad club that wants a very steep monthly membership fee that I just can't afford.) And another group that is about 75 miles away and is actively seeking volunteers...well I once posted a message and got my rear end royally chewed out by its leader because he did not like my choice of a word and pretty much told me not to post anything about "his" locomotive. So, if it's "his" locomotive "he" can figure out how to run "his" organization and not to expect me to donate to "him". And if he's successful without me...more power to him.

One other comment...don't treat your organization as an "exclusive club". When I look at aviation museums that have large collections, they are wide open to the public and encourage public participation, even if you're not a member. Many railroad organizations (at least around here) are all but closed shops. They make it clear you're not welcome. One such group has made it clear that a public museum is not their #1 priority. My son likes to see the trains and he's only six (almost seven)...since he won't be welcome at the restoration facility, I'm going to put my money where my son can participate. The love of trains starts young, and when you're told you can't participate - what do you think his opinion is going to be when he's 15, 16 years old? Being told "no" so many times has an impact...I'm a railfan because I got to know some employees of the Southern Pacific young and they welcomed me into their jobs. Sure, a few rules were broken (but being a remote town on a branchline far removed from most managers, and everyone was careful to make sure I was safe) but that sure had a huge impact on me to this day.