Re: N&S 55 Davenport running at Old Threshers

mikerowe Wrote:
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> Lots of words, SCVR66, but I guess I don't catch
> your point. Methinks you suffer from an excess of
> enthusiasm and a shortage of hardheaded realism.
> Instead of cheerleading the restoration of every
> locomotive you hear of, why don't you focus your
> time, energy, and efforts on either raising money
> for the restoration of just one nearby locomotive
> or supporting an equally nearby museum. You'll
> probably get more accomplished. Nearby? Well, I
> commute 25 miles one way each Saturday to
> volunteer at the Colorado Railroad Museum, and the
> museum has volunteers that commute on a fairly
> consistent basis for as much as 75 miles one way.
> It is that kind of commitment by (currently) about
> 330 volunteers that makes the CRRM the stellar
> success that it is. Or consider the dedication
> and commitment of the volunteers who make up the
> Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
> who give up at least a week (and sometime several
> weeks) of their personal time and who knows how
> many dollars of their personal resources to attend
> the one or more of the several Friends summer work
> weeks, sometime traveling several hunder miles to
> get there. How many of them have you heard having
> much to say on any of the railfan forums? They
> just go about the business of helping insure that
> the C&TS is around for another 100 years. Oh, and
> along the way, the Friends of the C&TS have raised
> a couple million dollars to support their
> preservation efforts and those of the railroad.
> Over on the right coast, the Friends of the East
> Broad Top Railroad do similar good work through
> volunteer labor. Deeds, not words, make the steam
> locomotive wheels go round and round.
>
> If you follow this forum regularly, you will
> eventually learn that there are two kinds of
> railfans, the ones do the dirty work, and the ones
> who cheerlead or criticize from the warmth of
> their home computer (generally known as armchair
> quarterbacks). IMHO, the ones who make the most
> noise seem to accomplish the least amount of good.
> Consider which is your position, and try to get
> yourself into the first group. That is the only
> way that historical railroad equipment and
> facilities will be preserved and maintained.
>
> Oh, and don't try to convince me that you are too
> far away or don't have a car or have some other
> impediment to volunteering. You have access to a
> computer and probably a telephone, don't you?
> There are amazing things you can do with those two
> devices to support a nearby facility or
> operation--largely without any significant expense
> to you. Like maintaining a snail mail or email
> address list--or a membership database. Like
> putting together the organization's newsletter
> (paper or electronic) and getting it published.
> Like turning out small repair parts if you have
> access to, and experience in, a machine shop.
> Like keeping the books, if you are a whiz with
> numbers. Like participating in the organziation's
> fund raising efforts. But the first thing you
> have to do is pick up the phone, call the
> organization, and ask them what you can do from a
> distance. Trust me, if they are worth their salt,
> they will find a place for you.
>
> Lastly, learn to pick your battles. Example:
> Cedar Fair and its subsidiary, Knotts Berry Farm,
> are private, for-profit enterprises. They have
> little or no interest in the opinions of outside
> individuals and organizations. They will do what
> they want to do with the Jennie K. So rather than
> wasting bandwidth on the fate of the Jennie K (if
> that is how it is spelled), take you time and
> energies somewhere else where they will do some
> good. Why beat you head against a brick wall?
>
> Now, taking note of the second sentence of your
> reply--"I haven't the slightest care as to how
> people think or feel about me"-- which I have
> ignored up to this point, I will take the hint and
> bid you adeau. Good luck with your hopefully
> realistic preservation efforts.
>
> Mike

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Good call, Mike.

But let's give our young accolyte a friendly spin to the above advice.

If memory serves, SCVR66 is an under-20 something and likely full of whimsical dreams, as I was and perhaps you too.

SCVR66,

As much as we all seem blind to it at such a young age, critical choices lie at your feet like snakes in the grass right now that will deeply impact the course and fortunes of your life. How I wish I had that wise mentor to guide me and put a boot up my ass to have made more of myself than I have. At half-way to ninety, it all became clear to me that I'd pissed away the better half of my productive years and had little to show for it but a lot of exercise, experience, and good stories. And that part of this little story is the part that crosses with your desire to make steamers steam again is that NOW is the time to look AWAY from the steamers and focus your attention on how to make cubic dollars that you can THEN channel toward your dreams of making steamers steam. Do your homework, commit yourself to an education in a field that will bring sure results, excel in your work, and reap the harvest. Imagine if Bill Gates had been a steam nut, and imagine yourself striving for a similar path. Be the guy that every steam fan across America admires and thanks God for doing what you did to make so many great things happen.

As Mike said, the world needs more armchair commentators like we need more anklebiting yappy dogs. What the steam scene needs is more benefactors and captains of industry providing the green rectangles that make the work and the dream possible. Can you be the guy who makes that happen ? Can you be the guy who brings those people to the table ? The sooner a person wakes up to how to win the game, the bigger advantage they have in the game.

If you want more specifics, hit me PM and we'll chat.