Recently, Metro-North started soliciting materials for the upcoming 100th Anniversary of New York City's Grand Central Terminal. They are asking for railroadiana, artifacts, etc, that pertain to Grand Central and would like a donation or a loan of the items to display in the terminal. Yet in the same statement, terms like "how you got ownership of your item will not be questioned" and "While we realize that most of the items were railroad property" are used, implying that most of us seem to be thieves.
Imagine if railroad museums and railroads in general relied soley on what are in railroad archives and not give regard to anything owned by the private collector? They would have very few choices for most roads. Sure, B&O and PRR and a few others left things for future generaions to enjoy and learn from, but the majority of railroad history exists because of peoples passion for the railroads they worked for and the trains that they rode. Hey Metro-North, ever hear the expression "Don't bite the hand that feeds you?"
Perhaps you aren't aware of the reason behind this statement. In the art world, many valuable works do not have a "clean" chain of legal possession. They may have been stolen at some prior point or been looted by the *** from private or public collections. If so, institutions or heirs have a legal claim. So it is simply part of the protocol for acquisition of objects by museums.
And BTW, we all know that many items of railroadiana have in fact been "appropriated" by unethical collectors: bells, builder plates, etc.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
A great deal of railroadiana will not possess a clear proof of legal acquisition. Certainly that is sometimes due to outright theft, but a lot has survived by legal or relatively benign processes.
A builder's plate in my possession was purchased from a scrap yard in a cash transaction with the manager. I had to remove it myself, and without that rescue it would have joined the rest of the locomotive in the melting pot.
There are rescued items from dumpsters, which while perhaps technically theft can arguably be justified. Another gray area are artifacts discarded trackside or along abandoned rights-of-way. In the latter case there could be breach of archaeological regulations.
Then there is also a fair bit out there that long-time railroaders acquired by various means during their career and sometimes presentations at retirement. Unfortunately that is often vulnerable to being thrown out on the death of the old guy by unsympathetic heirs who have little interest or knowledge.
John
I have several items, some my most prized possessions, that were literally rescued from dumpsters or diverted while en route to a dumpster. In all cases, at least two railroad employees were aware of the rescue and approved it. Of course, one of those employees was me but the other was nearly always my supervisor.
Do you think I'd even loan one of these items to an organization that would doubt my right to possess them? Not in this lifetime.
ChuckAllen, TX
I had in my possession the blue print line drawings for the 1870's era original railroad between two points which became the branch line of a major railroad and then became a shortline...these drawing were being thrown away at one point and I took them out of the garbage. The latest owner, the shortline, has borrowed them to copy and returned them to me, no questions asked. These drawings no reside in an archive at Steamtown.
The PC sold a lot of NYC and PRR railroad stuff at auction, a lot of materials have come down through family inheritances or othewise handed off or sold to railfans by former employees; lots have been retrieved from dumpsters and the like. I don't believe these guys are gonna steal anything back from anybody. The evolution of paper and artifacts from former railroad days is accepted in the form and places it resides. I am not saying there are exceptions, but overall, unless you know you are guilty of outright illegal acquisiton, you shouldn't fear anyone or anything.
RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.
And it doesn't take a lawyer to draft a letter from Metro North to you stating that they understand you are the legitimate owner and wil be happy to return the material to you when the exhibit closes. Should be signed by the Legal VP.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.