Joining a RR historical society

[cwclark]

Hi guys,

      I just joined the gulf coast railroad historical society and it's been one of the greatest moves I've ever made in my love and enjoyment of railroad history. I really need to start making the meetings regularly.  So far, they've been sending me some really neat articles in their quarterly publication about the history of the railroads in this area.  I really think I'm going to enjoy being a member.

         Just this quarter there was an article about one of the members that found some abandoned tracks which he said couldn't have been more than a 50 lb. rail in the coastal plains area near a town that's so small it's not on any of the maps.  He did some research, talked to some of the old timers,  and found that the tracks belonged to a small railroad called the Houston and Brazos Valley Railroad.  I've never even heard of this short line before which hauled sulfer to a wye and siding on an old MP, then Katy, then SP,  and eventually UP main line back around the turn of the century. This kind of stuff I find facinating and would encourage others to join such groups if so inclined...just my thoughts...chuck

 

[CAZEPHYR]

 

I belong to the UPHS and it has been a great place to gain knowledge and history of the Union Pacific.   

Cheers 

[loathar]

My old boss volunteered for a tourist train in Columbus Oh. some years back. He and his wife were hosts in a passenger car on the trips. They loved it and they weren't even train geeks.

[johncolley]

Amen! Best thing I ever did once I decided on a particular road (GN) and era ('47-'50)was join the GN Ry. Historical Society, and I heartily recommend that anyone who wants a reliable source of information regarding any particular RR line become a member of its support group/Historical Society. The rewards are tremendous and there is also the chance that you can contribute to someone else's enjoyment of the hobby!jc5729 John Colley, Port Townsend, WA

[GN-Rick]

I agree 100% with John. As a fellow GNRHS member, I also recommend the joining of whatever society or organization follows your chosen prototype. The GNRHS is a great source of historical and modeling information and is full of wonderful people who share my interests. Other groups are likely similar. So. . . .join and enjoy!

[SSW9389]

I couldn't agree more. Get involved, volunteer, do something different.

Ed Cooper

Cotton Belt Rail Historical Society 

 

[emdgp92]

I've been part of the PCRRHS since 2001. I knew a little about the PC before then...but the group has helped me a great deal. This is one place where the PRR, NYC, and NH guys all get along! But seriously, everyone is willing to help with information--painting, looking for correct models, etc., as well as throwing an awesome convention every year. During those conventions, we enjoy slide shows, swapping PC items, and checking out each others' models.

[GAPPLEG]

I was a member of the Northeast Historical Society for years. Life kinda got in the way and I haven't been back for quite a few years. Although I model the SP from my youth in Texas, and now live in Erie PA. it was a good time at the meeting etc. We had guest speakers and slide show etc at meeting that were alway informative. Of course they centered around the Northeastern railways D&H , Pennsy , Nickel Plate etc.  I have really considered joining the Southern Pacific Society , of course long distance (no meetings for me) , Just need all that info they have on the SP. Historical Societies are a good source of camraderie and good info for those who would like that. I highly recommend that to anyone.

[Jetrock]

I have been to the past couple of Western Pacific Railroad Historical Society conventions, and they're great fun for meeting like-minded railfans, modelers and railroaders. Typically the dealer room is an ideal place to find the models you're looking for, especially if you model an obscure prototype. Volunteering at a railroad museum is also a great way to meet others with similar obsessions (both other volunteers and visitors) and to learn the ins and outs of railroading. Although I do have to admit that since I started volunteering I do a little less model railroading: there's something about working on the real thing that is even more fun!

[simon1966]

I could not agree more.  I am a member of the Burlington Route HS and have found the publications to be first rate and well worth the membership.

 

http://www.burlingtonroute.com/

 

[mlehman]

Simon's got a great point. Although many historical societies have reputations for having great meetings, I usually judge the overall package as a regular member by the strength of the publications produced by the group.

For instance, the Rio Grande Modeling and Historical Society (http://rgmhs.drgw.org/) has never had a convention. But they put out great publications and have recently started offering models, also. They did a run of passenger car kits and are now offering the new Athearn Tunnel Motors unnumbered for people who need to beef up their SD40T-2 fleet more quickly than the three versions initially offered by Athearn will allow.

Besides the RGMHS, I am also a member of these other societies, all of which offer good value to those inetrested in modeling or have some other interest in the specific prototypes noted, as well as earlier (and later, in the case of the DSP&P) railroads that were absorbed over the years:

DSP&P Historical Society

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dspphs/

Monon Historical and Technical Society

http://www.monon.org/

Friends of the East Broad Top

http://www.febt.org/

Friends of the C&TSRR

http://www.cumbrestoltec.org/

The Soo Line Historical and Technical Society

http://www.sooline.org/home.html

[wm3798]

I've been a member of the WMRHS for almost 25 years (Yikes!  Has it been that long!!)

The Blue Mountain Express magazine is excellent! 

Lee 

[bogp40]

Really a good move. HS newsletters and many that have groups or forums can keep you abreast of all the goings on. Conventions, Minicons and special photo runs are such a great way to meet all those with the same interests as well as doing some great rail fanning. Just so much more fun added to the hobby.

[RutlandRay]

I'm a member of both the Rutland Railroad Historical Society and the Central Vermont Railroad Historical Society.  Both publish a quarterly magazine and hold annual conventions.  Both have an annual membership fee of $15 - a bargain!!  I've been to most of the Rutland conventions (next:May 17-18, 2008 in Troy, NY) and enjoyed them all.  I've attended the CV convention (next:September 28-30, 2007 at Millers Falls, Ma) several times but I usually have a conflicting obligation that I can't get out of.  The conventions are friendly and you can learn a lot about the railroads.  Both have prototype and model displays. Statiatically the Rutland conventions get about a 40% attendance rate of the membership which I'm sure other organizations would envy. 

Another benifit is that you meet people with shared interests.  I was building a model of the Rutland's Jordan spreader and only had a black and white photo.  I emailed several members and asked what the colors were and got several responses.  The second day I got a color photo.

[ezielinski]

I belong to the CNWHS (Chicago & North Western Historical Society).  They have yearly conventions, limited run HO scale rolling stock, and the wonderful quarterly publication "NorthWestern Lines".  You can visit their website at http://www.cnwhs.org.

[Tracklayer]

Hey Chuck!.

Sounds like you've fallen upon something that struck a nerve with yourself... Glad to hear it. Please keep us posted on things.

By the way. Are these the same people that take care of the layouts at the Galveston railroad museum, or are they a historical society only?.

Tracklayer (Mark)

[tstage]

Chuck, 

I think it's an absolutely wonderful idea...as long as the historical society is trying to:

1. Actively promote itself
2. Encourage active membership, and
3. Better ALL interested parties with readily available information through online web sites, periodicals, open houses, field trips and workshops.

I recently belonged to a historical society of a particular prominant Fallen Flag that, sadly, has not seemingly followed all the above suggestions as a guideline:

• The web page is dreary and uninviting.
  
• There is little prototype information available to fans or modelers that doesn't require you to first purchase a book or material to get that information.
• Much of the prototype information on it's other related sites or links is generally disjunct, convoluted, and difficult to obtain readily.
• Compared to the other well-organized historical societies that I have seen and observed - either online or at trainshows - other than a yearly convention and a quarterly 4 times a year, this particualr society seems to do very little to promote the history and influence this once great RR had on our society and lives.
• Conventions "appear" to be little more than a glorified "good 'ol boys" club.

How does one who is a neophtye initially gather the needed information to better understand something that he or she is (or might be) interested in - but disconnected from historically - if that information seemingly is neither passed along nor readily made available by those with the information to help perpetuate that interest?  This approach completely mystifies me!  Ultimately, if this particular trend continues, ALL available first hand knowledge, resources, and expertise vanishes and is lost forever to those who could benefit from, enjoy, and perpetuate it.

Forgive me for my rantings and ravings.  I've probably already vented enough proverbial "radioactive steam" into the atmosphere.  I trust that there will not be any "fall out" from it.  I have been purposely vague in speaking of the historical society that I formerly belonged to.  However, for those who do know me, I'm sure you'll quickly deduce who it is in short order. 

With that said, no matter how you are involved in railroading - either as an employee, former employee, LHS owner, railfan, or modeler - we must take an active approach in making sure that this wonderful heritage that is given to us if somehow recorded (orally and/or written down) and preserved so that others who follow can equally understand and enjoy it to it's fullest, as well.  Just from observations, it seems that some historical societies do a better job at that than others.

[Okay.  Everyone pull out their fire extinguishers and hose this guy down...]

Tom

[wjstix]

I belong to several historical societies, both for specific railroads (GN, NP, CNW, etc.) and more general (MN Transportation Museum, Iron Range Hist. Soc., Lake Superior RR Museum). Just last week we had a special "members only" afternoon for GN Hist Soc members at the MTM's Jackson St. roundhouse in St.Paul MN. Was nice to be able to look around without a crowd of people, plus we got to go into some areas the general public don't usually get into, like the repair/restoration bays. The biggest deal was getting to take cab rides in restored GN SD-45 "Hustle Muscle".

BTW Clover House makes dry-transfer decals for the Houston and Brazos Valley!!

[C&O Fan]

The C&O Historical Society has been a great resource for Info and Pictures

but sadly i have to make hard choices where to spend my limited RR funds

I glady paid 25$ for a special search for info on Terry WVA but since alot of their meetings are in WVA I haven't joined

I have to be very selective on my spending

[cwclark]

Hey Chuck!.

Sounds like you've fallen upon something that struck a nerve with yourself... Glad to hear it. Please keep us posted on things.

By the way. Are these the same people that take care of the layouts at the Galveston railroad museum, or are they a historical society only?.

Tracklayer (Mark)

Mark,

   They are the ones that have the museum on Meza road just off of IH 610 by the Englewood yard in Houston. They are restoring a lot of passenger cars and have a few locomotives. They have an old Baldwin S-2 switcher in their collection....chuck