Re: Preserving cars *LINK*

You wrote:
> I am currently working with Grant and Taylor on
> creating an online database of ALL surviving
> American NG equipment. If it is preserved in a
> museum, on display somewhere, on a tourist road,
> still in service, etc. In addition I am listing
> privately owned equipment, sheds, abandoned
> equipment, etc.. It has been quite a job up to
> this point but thanks to some help from
> Herman Darr and Ted Miles (Thanks Ted) I have
> been able to work from some lists of equipment
> in the US. Ted was a big help when it came to Maine.
That is a big project. Your title and discription brings to mind a discussion that has gone one elsewhere in print and on the web.
"Preserved" should mean a car or artifact that is held by an institution organized -- and has a mission statement -- for historic preservation.
A car, steam or diesel locomotive, etc. that is held by a private individual, tourist railroad, or short line should be considered "not yet scraped." No matter how good the intentions, none of these are mandated to maintain and preserve the historic artifact and its fabric.
Brian Norden
member, board of directors, Orange Empire Railway Museum
member, board of directors, Association of Railway Museums