Phil, the minute you get a chance take it and go to Maine. It is an awsome little railroad. See I am a HUGE two foot gauge fan. I cant get enough of them. Stuart, You have to start small and it will take time. I started when I was 13 so I have some time on you. All I can tell you is watch and learn everything you can. Take part in everything that comes your way because you never know when its going to come back. I know if I was 13 now and tried to do everything I have done in five years I wouldn't be able to. Times change. Just sit tight your time will come. Learn anything you can from anyone you can. (Just not bad habits) I've ridden in the cabs of steam engines all the way down to operating motor cars and all because I grab every opportunity that comes my way. If you really try YOU could eventually make that museum of yours into something. It just takes someone with a vision and the means to make it happen. Good luck to you and happy railroading.
-Eric
O P.S. Im glade to find out that there are other kids as weird as me who spend their free time working on this stuff!