Anyone have an opinion on this?

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/legislator-seeks-state-status-for-virginia-museum-of-transportation/?fbclid=IwAR0mZidIQeM4S8jNSfDmPiTyokjonO-EqATJ0oY4l-l736rG2ySTQxBdVPk

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Not enough info for an opinion but it seems you’d be trading autonomy for funding. Is that trade off worth it? Wonder what VMT thinks about it. That’s what I’d like to hear.

Another article:

https://cardinalnews.org/2022/01/11/roanoke-museum-wants-to-be-a-state-agency/?fbclid=IwAR0htwN4zr_zpHwDtUmZrUX2GCaVQWuHowISP4F7u4JtqqkhWatVIre2igQ

It's a proposal for a proposal, but without more information about how state agencies work with the other cultural resources they fund and control forming a relevant opinion would be impossible. It seems the ball may be in VMTs court about finding out what options they may have to increase resources and increase tourism development in the area.

Interesting point buried deep in the Cardinal News article:

"Edwards (a state Senator) said that if the museum comes under the purview of the commonwealth, it might be able to work out deals to use state-owned tracks between Clifton Forge and Dowell for excursions. 'That brings people and tourism dollars to Virginia,' Edwards said."

I've been wondering since the State's deal with CSX was announced in January 2020 if that would present an opportunity for 611. In October 1994 Jack Showalter ran multiple weekends out of Charlottesville with his 2 ex-CP Pacifics, 1238 and 1286. Trips ran doubleheaded to Clifton Forge on Saturdays followed by shorter trips to Gordonsville on Sunday where the train could be turned on the wye there.

Anyone who has watched sausage and politics made over decades can figure out that this proposal could be a well-reasoned proposition with some serious thought behind it..............

............. or it could be something as simple-minded as a politician hearing "train rides would boost the local economy, so..." (from some donor who stands to benefit somehow, financially).

The fact that this was proposed with apparently no input from said museum makes me dubious at the very best.

It was 1993, not '94. I chased one of them.

For a museum that is struggling this sounds like a very positive step forward and provides the opportunity to create something on the order of the RRMPA, a goal we have had for years here in NJ and yet to achieve. Having been to the museum about 4 years ago, I found it to almost be a step back in time as museums go. It could use some updating but was a great place to visit none the less.

Key is not to come to depend on state money to appear every year. The Museum has held its own, on its own, for many years so best to keep that concept in mind for when the tough state budget times come along, and they will.

J.R. May

If VMT becomes a state agency, that doesn’t automatically give them the right to send the 611 romping around on state owned track all willy nilly. Granted, I don’t know what state owned track is being discussed but from what I’ve seen, it has to be written into the operator’s contract with the state considering who can do what, when and where. Most operators ain’t gonna like it for reasons ranging from safety to scheduling to manpower. Those reasons aren’t insurmountable but there will be costs involved that someone will have to pay.

Who knows how knowledgeable the state rep is that is proposing this, maybe quite in the know, maybe much less so. CSX will not at all want the 611 running on their line if they can at all help it. lack of crews and insurance will as usual be a major issue.

What happens when VMT is reliant on state funds and the state 20 years from now decides to massively reduce VMT funding etc... while maybe this has some benefits, unless VMT's financial situation is that bad, I'd be very weary and letting the state govt have the final word/ real control of the museum.

It seems hasty to make opinions at this stage given how little is known about what exactly this would entail.

What makes the most sense is to wait and see what evolves. Anything in this thread pretending to be knowledge is merely speculation.

It is called "discussion of current events related to rail preservation". This is no different than any other news item that we discuss here. As often can be the case, those who are familiar with the subject may chime in with information not present in the news story, thus furthering understanding.

BTW, sometimes waiting is the wrong thing to do. Fortunately a Democratic bill in a Republican controlled govt. has a slim chance of passing quickly, but if this was a well connected legislator in the majority party introducing this bill, it could quickly pass and be signed into law while we are all still "waiting". And then it is too late.

What is the context here? Have I missed some big news?

Let's assume for the sake of discussion we have heard evidence demonstrating it is a terrible idea and we aren't waiting but acting..... what would be any effective action to take? We have no influence to bring to bear. Waiting seems the only logical choice for us at this time. Agreed that it seems unlikely to be automatically enacted with haste.

I think we all know about some state operated railroad attractions that are very successful, some less so, pretty much dependent on the level of support and individuals in charge.