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Discussion Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: BIG BEAR on May 12, 2007, 04:27:05 AM

Title: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: BIG BEAR on May 12, 2007, 04:27:05 AM

1.  Do you visit Train Museums?

2.  How often do you frequent Train Museums? 1 per year or 1 per Week

3.  Are you a member of any Train Museums? and do you do any volunteer work there? If so please share.

4.  Which train Museums are your favorite? Do you prefer large w/ many trains , or small single road versions.

5.  Bonus Q.  If you were asked to start a train museum, what would be the key features, and how would you advertise these?

          Purely for enjoyment purposes,

                  Barry
       
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: Larry on May 12, 2007, 05:48:56 AM
I go to my train museum in conneaut ohio a couple times a year but drive by it most every day of the week since there is a NKP 2-8-4 on display there. 
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: Paul W. on May 12, 2007, 09:23:46 AM
We visit the Pennsylvannia Railroad Museum as often as possible, which my wife and I are members of. They have just totally rebuilt the front entrance (still utilizing the clock tower), and it looks great.
If you are not familiar with this museum, there is rolling stock hall which is indoors, there is the outside yard with working turntable, and hands on learning center for kids. It's a GREAT organization, and if I were going to start a museum, it would look just like this one!

http://www.rrmuseumpa.org/
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: Terry Toenges on May 12, 2007, 12:09:52 PM
1- Whenever we travel, I always take my book which lists all the train museums.
I usually make a point of visiting whatever neat train places and old military forts that happen to be along our route of travel.
Before we leave, I go through through the train guide and highlight places that are within reach (an hour or two) of our general route of travel.
2- Frequency - 2 to 20 a year. Depends on where we travel.
3-No
4- I've been to so many neat train places, it would be hard to pick a favorite. Those with pre-1900 stuff are my favorites, whether it's big or small.
Some of the more  memorable ones for me were in Sacremento CA, San Diego CA, Golden CO, Durango CO, Omaha NE, East Ely NV, Carson City NV, Ogden UT, Baltimore MD, Council Bluffs IA, Kennesaw GA, Strasburg PA, Scranton PA.
5- Pre-1900 mostly, wild-Westy feel.
Advertise - blow the whistle every few hours :)

Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: Bojangle on May 13, 2007, 04:34:22 PM
I would like to visit the museums, but too old to travel much anymore.  I have visited some of the museum websites, but they don't show much, they just want you to come there and spend money.  I know it costs a lot to maintain them, but they could at least show a few pics.

The first train to hit Loveland was Sante Fe, out of Kansas.  I went to the museum site (Topeka I think), found nothing of interest.  I would be willing to send donations if they would have more info on their site. 

The museum sites are mostly supported by local tourist oriented companies. I was interested in an ON30 set of Colorado Southern and in research, found the city of Leadville bought the line for tourist attraction.  I expected to see a vintage loco, but they are now using a very old diesel, pulling old cars.
Well you asked for opinions.  For me, the web is my travel guide.
If I ever go by a train museum, I will certainly take the tour.
Bo
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: GlennW on May 13, 2007, 05:28:02 PM
1) Yes. When travelling on vacation, I make some Train Museums the main puroise of the trip. They tend to be the top ones mentioned in MR, MRC, T, RMC, etc.  Sadly, some of the greats are no longer in operation. Go while you can!

2) I visit the local Tennessee Central 3x per year. In the Spring & Fall, they host a NMRA swap meet. They also run excursion trains. Thomas makes an annual visit.

3) I am not a "member" or do work there. Some volunteers are needed as car hosts.

4) My favorites have some operation. The Very Best make a visit to other parts of the country enjoyable. It's difficult to pick out one. Small ones can be enjoyable to make an hour stop enroute.

5) A New Museum can be located in an old station, rebuilt to fill modern comforts. The effort would be to best tell the story of the Railroad. Strong support from the chamber of commerce & business folks may have some fundraiser opportunities.
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: JerryB on May 13, 2007, 05:36:31 PM
 1.  Do you visit Train Museums?

Yes!

2.  How often do you frequent Train Museums? 1 per year or 1 per Week

As often as possible. Several times a year to our favorites and we stop at everyone we can when traveling.

3.  Are you a member of any Train Museums? and do you do any volunteer work there? If so please share.

We are members of a couple that we think do the most outstanding job on subjects of special interest. See my signature. We've done some volunteering at the Bay Area Electric Railway Association's Western Railway Museum at Rio Vista Junction. First as parking attendants for the Pumpkin Patch trains last October and recently as car attendants for the Scenic Limited Wildflower trains in April. Great experiences, and we met lots of great people. We plan to do more in the future.

4.  Which train Museums are your favorite? Do you prefer large w/ many trains , or small single road versions.

All, but the BAERA WRM is really hard to beat. It specializes in electric traction, so is a unique experience. The California State Railroad Museum is one of the best in the country, and the Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources at Ardenwood farm is a great group of folks that have done a great job, starting with very little other than enthusiasm. We truly like them all, large & small.

5.  Bonus Q.  If you were asked to start a train museum, what would be the key features, and how would you advertise these?

Ain't gonna happen!!

Happy RRing,

Jerry Bowers
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: Yorkie on May 16, 2007, 02:25:42 PM
The National Railway Museum in York, England is considered to be the world's largest. For details see Wikipedia Encyclopedia for full details.
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: RAM on May 16, 2007, 04:51:15 PM
I think the Pennsylvannia Railroad Museum is one of the best.  It is a must to any and all Pennsylvannia Railroad fans, which I am not.  It is too bad that a t1 was not saved.  I know of no other railroad that is covered like the PRR. 
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: BIG BEAR on May 30, 2007, 01:34:34 AM

        The originator finally posts. Yes I do visit train Museums, usally 6-10 times per year.
        I am a member of 2 Museums, The National Railroad Musem, in Greenbay, Wisconsin. Also the East Troy Electric Railroad. I do not volunteer my time, just my $.
        Other notables would be the Illinois rail museum and the Mid- continent  Railroad Museum. both have a tremendous amount of Engines and Rolling stock from several railroads, and Companies.
        One small museum I stopped at, The Little Falls Railroad & Doll
Museum, was such an educational experience as I was just getting back into this hobby, Dr. Jim Brown and I spoke for 2+ hrs. My wife was way past ready to go, I did buy one of his books and had him sign it.
        If I were to open a Museum, I agree w/ Glenn no place like an old depot to do so.also local c/c. I'ld have all scales of layouts including 1/1
all the same consist & paint scheme using 4-4-0 Steam Engines.

     Paul W. thank-you for the link.
     Terry T. Could we trouble you for the title of your train museum book?

            Barry
   
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: ebtbob on May 30, 2007, 06:36:10 AM
Good Morning All,

      I go to train museums every once in a while,  only because I have been to most all of them around me any number of times and not a lot new is ever added.   
      The Pennsylvania State Railroad Museum in Strasburg,  Pa,  right across the street from the Strasburg Railroad is proabably the best one in my area to visit,  but.......they have decided to put a new facade on the building that at one time had the appearance of a vintage station.  Now it looks like this.......(http://ebtbob.rrpicturearchives.net/pictures/22729/Strasburg%2017.jpg)



Bob
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: ebtbob on May 30, 2007, 06:55:56 AM
Good Morning Again,

      In my last post I mentioned the Pa RR museum being across the street from the Strasburg Railroad.   This past Monday,  Memorial Day,  was the time that my son Darryl and I visited the railroad and museum.   I had not been out there for about two years and some changes had been made, as the new front to the museum indicated.   
       As we went past the enginehouse,  #90,  the 2-10-0 could be seen with her smokebox door open which made me worry.   Both of us made the trip because we each had new cameras that we want to use and the thought that we made the trip for nothing bothered us.   Our fears were confirmed when we found out that 90 was down with a power reverser problem and #475,  the ex N&W 4-8-0 was also in the shops.   The main power for the trains that day was a small center cab diesel.   But all was not lost......there was one steamer running at the museum.   It is a coal fired 18 inch gauge 4-4-0.
       BTW.....all this true.....the #3 was the only operational steam engine at Strasburg this past Monday.....here is a pic.
(http://ebtbob.rrpicturearchives.net/pictures/22729/Strasburg%2082.jpg)
Bob
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: SteamGene on May 30, 2007, 07:43:29 AM
I thought Strasburg also had either a Pennsy Atlantic or Pacific or both.  What happened to them? BTW, Ilike the old look of the PRR museum.
Gene
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: Woody Elmore on May 30, 2007, 08:28:34 AM
I second Yorkie's comment about the British Railway Museum in York, England. Last time I was there I didn't want to leave. Next time I visit England I will try to visit some of the operating steam lines.

This is not meant to put down American museums. I frequently go to the B&O museum in Baltimore and have also visited the N&W museum in Roanoake.

My goal is to one day get to the Owens Valley to check out the remaining SPNG rolling stock.

Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: Atlantic Central on May 30, 2007, 08:31:46 AM
Gene,

The Atlantic belongs to the museum and has not been fully operational for some time if I recall correctly.

They have never had any of the Pacfics in running order. There is at least one K4 on display at the museum, maybe more.

I was at Strasburg this past Thursday, before Memorial Day and #90 was in service as usual.

I did not visit the museum that day or ride the train, actually I was in the "general " area for work and had a couple extra hours, so I shopped at the two train stores and watched the train come in and leave.

Strasburg is less than an hour from me anyway, I usually pop up there a few times year. Can't drag the wife anymore, she has reached her boredom threshold.

Sheldon
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: ebtbob on May 30, 2007, 10:09:39 AM
Good Morning,

     Sheldon is correct,  the 4-4-2 has not been operational for almost 20 years.   At one time there was also a 4-4-0 operational and that too is in the museum.

Bob
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: Atlantic Central on May 30, 2007, 12:36:23 PM
After thinking about it, a power reverse problem is a big problem for the Strasburg, a railroad who's locos spend as much time in reverse as forward and at the speeds they don't travel, a good deal of time in "netural" coasting along.

They probably wear out more of those parts now than that loco ever did on the Great Western.

Sheldon
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: trolley1 on May 30, 2007, 05:14:28 PM
HEY!  Does a trolley museum count in this survey?

I am deeply involved with the Electric City Trolley Museum in Scranton, Pa.  (Located on Steamtown's grounds!)  I try to get there once a month to operate the trolley excursion.  If you like trolleys AND trains, this is the place.  You can get photographs of a trolley and train together at the platform.  Be sure to take a trolley ride.  It is a 10.5 MILE round trip, including a tunnel of over 4700 feet.

I am also a conductor and engineer trainee on the Cape May Seashore Lines in south Jersey.  While not really a museum, we do operate historic equipment such as, Budd RDC's that ran on this line from 1950 until 1981.  You can have a 30 mile round trip every Saturday from Tuckahoe to Richland.

Dave G.
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: nhmanhere59 on May 30, 2007, 07:50:12 PM
I try to get to the Train Museum in Sacramento several times a year. I also go to the "Orange Empire"in Perris,Ca. Last summer I spent considerable time at the "Georgetown Loop" operation in Colorado. A friend of mine belongs to the Colorado Historical Society,and writes articles for the "Colorado Time-Table" newspaper. I go to the local train museum and model railroad display in San Diego regularly.
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: Paul M. on May 30, 2007, 10:03:37 PM
1.  Do you visit Train Museums?
Would I be responding to this post if I didn't?

2.  How often do you frequent Train Museums?
Once every couple months

3.  Are you a member of any Train Museums? and do you do any volunteer work there? If so please share.
No, I'm not

4.  Which train Museums are your favorite? Do you prefer large w/ many trains , or small single road versions.

I like all of them, there's one T&P-only museum that I'd like to go to sometime.

5.  Bonus Q.  If you were asked to start a train museum, what would be the key features, and how would you advertise these?

Features:
T&P T&P T&P T&P T&P and maybe a little Mopac

Advertisements:
I'd leave that to my marketing board. ;)
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: Paul W. on May 30, 2007, 11:04:30 PM
Bob,
Nice shot of the Cagney! Strasburg actually just restored the center cab last year, and even though it's not steam, she looks good. I'm guessing 89 was in for monthly inspections and they only run 31 on rare occasions. That's too bad, but I'm sure the team will have them both back up and running soon. They are a very talented group in the shops, so I'm sure if they don't have the parts, they'll either find one or make one.
If you have ever taken the noon shop tour, in one of the shops, the museum has a camelback in for restoration consideration. They also have several cars in  their own shop for restoration as well.
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: BIG BEAR on May 31, 2007, 12:14:19 AM

         Dave G.   Trolley Museums certainly do count!
   I have the pleasure of having a Trolley Museum just 30 miles from home. The East Troy Electric Railroad. This year, 2007, we celebrate 100 years of continuous service.May 5th they had a "Train Parade" 20 vintage Trolleys rolling the 10 mile round trip. I didn't make it for that , but I will Make the trip a couple times this year.
    A couple weeks ago the Kenosha museum had train layouts set up on display. So we took the grandkids, well we parked a mile away and rode the trolleys to & from the Museum. Now the 2 1/2 yr. old wants my new On30 Trolley to "Ding-Ding like the real one" I did the next best thing, I
dug out the old Tyco Steam Whistle billboard and hooked it up to the transformer. She had a blast!

        Enjoy
               Barry
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: BIG BEAR on July 12, 2007, 11:54:04 PM
        Two weeks ago  my wife & I went to a Lumberjack Museum & rode on an old steam train. "The Lumberjack Special" in Laona Wis. way up-north, almost to the U.P. It was a 1916 Vulcan 2-6-2 Prairie type Engine, affectionately called the "4 Spot", a few old passenger cars & a few Caboose's.
        Logging is still going strong in this area & they still use trains to haul the logs to the Mills, and Port Cities.

            Barry
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: Terry Toenges on July 13, 2007, 10:52:07 AM
Barry,
Sorry I overlooked your question.
Here is the book -
(http://images.bestwebbuys.com/muze/books/43/9780871162243.jpg)

http://www.bestwebbuys.com/Empire_State_Railway_Museum's_Tourist_Trains_2006-ISBN_9780871162243.html?isrc=b-search (http://www.bestwebbuys.com/Empire_State_Railway_Museum's_Tourist_Trains_2006-ISBN_9780871162243.html?isrc=b-search)
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: BIG BEAR on July 14, 2007, 03:52:03 AM

     Terry,
        Thanks for the link. It is very much appreciated.

          Barry
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: SteamGene on July 14, 2007, 06:20:27 AM
Quote from: BIG BEAR on May 12, 2007, 04:27:05 AM

1.  Do you visit Train Museums?

Yes

2.  How often do you frequent Train Museums? 1 per year or 1 per Week

It varies, and also depends on what you mean by a "museum."

3.  Are you a member of any Train Museums? and do you do any volunteer work there? If so please share.
In the past I belonged to the B&O Museum.  I'm a member of Friends of the East Broad Top.

4.  Which train Museums are your favorite? Do you prefer large w/ many trains , or small single road versions.
All the ones I've seen have their advantages and disadvantages. 


5.  Bonus Q.  If you were asked to start a train museum, what would be the key features, and how would you advertise these?

Protection of the displayed equipment.  It really sickened me to see how bad some of the locomotives at the Illinoise Railroad Museum are in.

          Purely for enjoyment purposes,

                  Barry
       
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: Summertrainz on July 15, 2007, 12:01:11 AM
heh train lovers  ::)


1.mmm there hard to find on the upper east coast
what happened to the one off the jersey turnpike?
2. 2 times a year about
this year at least
3.nope... don't have the patience for paperwork or i didn't know about them
4. i like a museum with a large variety of trains primareley late steam era 20's -50's i find it impresive to find vast realistic mountain sides with steam trains chugging by.
5. me? start a train museum? key features.... well my likes as i said in number 4 well    advertising     everyone likes lookin at steam trains. put billboards of steam trains up
if thats what you mean by advertisng

:D cool and sry im not good at spelling..
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: Beatle (TrainBrain) on July 15, 2007, 07:50:38 AM
The only one I've been to is the one in Strasburg, PA. They've got a GG1 (that I don't remeber seeing cause I was 4 but we got a picture so it's there. :-\) I'd love to see the one in Baltimore.
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: Paul W. on July 15, 2007, 08:51:48 AM

The only one I've been to is the one in Strasburg, PA. They've got a GG1 that I don't remeber seeing cause I was 4 but we got a picture so it's there.  I'd love to see the one in Baltimore.



Yes, the PA RR museum has a GG1, and if you do get a chance to see the B&O in Baltimore, it's definitly worth the trip!

http://www.borail.org/

They did a great job of rebuilding the roundhouse after the Presidents day snow storm that collasped the roof. Some of the engines are still waiting for repairs, but they are in the roundhouse so you can see the damage.
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: Beatle (TrainBrain) on July 15, 2007, 09:05:02 AM
Great! Did you ever see the museum pictures with the collapsed roof (dumb question, EVERYONE has!)?

(http://www.steamlocomotive.com/bomuseum/roof-colapse1.jpg)

(http://www.borail.org/restoration/slideshow/images/photos/20030815_02.jpg)
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: Andy Fekete on July 15, 2007, 05:11:01 PM
question 1: yes i do  ( does'nt everybody? ;)
question 2: a couple times a year
question 3: no but if there was a CNR museum near by i would live there
question 4: any museum where there is a lot of canadian equipment my all time fav is the canadian national museum of science and techknowlogy in ottawa ont scince it has my fav loco of all time CNR 6400 YAY!!!!!!!!!!! coming in for a close second explorail in montreal where there is so much equipment you need 2 days to see it all plus there is a cpr 2-10-4 selkirk
question 5: if i was to start a museum it would be a museum consisting of all surviving cnr locos and the location would be in downtown toronto inside/outside the old cpr roundhouse (kick the micro-brewery out!!!) ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Weekend Survey #2 Train Museums
Post by: Magoon on July 23, 2007, 04:33:34 PM
I manage to visit a few museums every year, some more than once, dpending upon my travels.  I've yet to see a museum (or its contents) that I haven't liked, but I much prefer those with adequate viewing room, a variety of locos and rolling stock, and explanatory signage or interpretive settings to enhance the historical aspect of the equipment.  For those locations with "warehoused" displays, such as the outdoor ones at the B&O Museum and the indoor and outdoor ones at IRM, I try to take comfort in the fact that at least they've been saved.  Perhaps someday money will no longer be an issue at any museum and all railfans and history enthusiasts can fully enjoy every piece of equipment to its fullest.  Yeah, I know -- I'm dreaming...

I'm a member of the California State Railroad Museum and the Nevada Northern Railway Museum.  I volunteer as a car attendant and brakeman at the former, and I'm anengineer/brakeman/fireman/conductor/trackman and mechanic at the latter.  At NN, we operate a 4-6-0 and 2-8-0 (both coal fired) on a 14 mile, standard gauge 2.5% grade with 2 tunnels, and a couple of Alcos (RS2 and RS3) and an EMD SD9 on another 12 mile line.  Lots of other stuff to tell later. 

By the way, Yorkie and Woody:  next time you're in the UK, skip York and go to Didcot.  It's about an hour north(?) of London and is a lot like NN, except they only have a short operating line within the confines of their property.  The museum consists of the entire Great Western Railway's service facility, and it's all still there: plenty of locos, cars, and facilities.

After several years with both CSRM and NN, I'd NEVER consider running my own museum:  never enough money, a lot of railfans unhappy because whatever is done isn't what THEY want, and never enough time to enjoy what you have because you're too busy trying to keeps things running!