This thread has strayed too far from Jason's posting.
No active CRRM volunteers have posted on this thread, except myself. The two that are bad mouthing the Museum have left under circumstances not related to Jason's post.
The CRRM retains a dedicated corps of volunteers. Although most of their efforts now are focused on building rider cars and fine tuning 491. Regardless of public opinion the volunteer crew is committed to producing cars to carry passengers. Thomas is scheduled for three weeks in September.
We no longer have the use of the Loops two diesels and almost all of the Loops rider cars have been sold. The CRRM is contracted to provide passenger equipment capable of hauling 320 riders. Please remember the CRRM has held a Thomas event since 2002. This is not a new idea to raise revenue. Besides the revenue and attendance figures that put the CRRM in a higher SCFD tier resulting in a larger SCFD contribution, the Thomas events have introduced kids and their parents to the CRRM and trains in general. The CRRM has kids and parents visiting and joining the CRRM, that rode the first Thomas 1n 2002. Thomas has resulted in bringing in a whole new crop of railfans.
We could use more volunteers. Most of the restoration/repair/efforts ar aimed at getting enough equipment out of the roundhouse to run Thomas and the Polar Express. (the Polar Express is aimed at kids and is contractual) The wine and cheese tasting, and other programs do not require the roundhouse crew to attend. Those are handled by the tour guides.
The CRRM is still selling railroad books with at least two publication this past year. Yes, we sell T shirts, Thomas toys, caps. We have to stock what sells.
Less than 10% of the Museum's visitors are railfans. (although they buy most of the publications)
Equipment is still being restored. The Uinta car, caboose 49, roof repairs on several cars. Then the volunteers have built one rider car almost from scratch using the steel frame from a standard gauge flatcar, two more from a 6500 series flat and a idler flat. These two can be brought back to their original configuration by removing the seats and railings. Remembef we have over 100 pieces of equipment.
583/683 will have the injector feed boiler check put back as soon as we find one. NAPA has them on back order.
I symphasize with Jason as he has contributed a lot to the CRRM, but we needed the narrow gauge trucks for the rider cars.
The Museum has not lost it's original purpose, but it is impossible to stay afloat just on admissions. Morale is still high with the volunteers and they are working hard to keep up with demands. (Most volunteers work only on Thursdays and Saturdays.)
We ae in no danger of losing the 501c3 status.
Bill Gould
Volunteer since 1978
and former Execcutive Director
P.S. We still manage to run steam several times a year.
