Jtgshu wrote:Not for nothing here, but Otto, come on, no one on the railroad has thought about putting a sign on the train, and no one has done any research as to how much it might cost?
I'm not trying to be rude, but if I had to guess, I think the railroad is probably spending its money on track rehab and repair, equipment maintenance, and now, legal fees. As far as I know, no one has yet considered the idea brought forth by Ken, it was a good suggestion.
Your asking readers of a forum to go out and price something for you guys?
I was trying to politely ask the person who proposed the idea (Ken) if he wouldn't mind getting a price for us. He suggested it, so I thought he'd like to help with a little follow through. I'd imagine if we decided to go with some sort of advertising wrap, we would then have to seek out donations to fund the project as it would fall outside the railroad's budget. We are not a museum, we are not a non-profit, which further challenges our situation. So if I'm going to go campaign for the expense of something like that, I need a number to base the conversation off of.
Makes it look like you guys have already thrown in the towel and are just going through the motions.
Sorry about that.
I know you are involved with them on the webpages (they do look great BTW) and have some communications with them, and are an unofficial (or maybe official, I don't know) representative of the railroad at least to the readers on this forum.
I am a humble part-time volunteer who helps with marketing and occasionally track work when I'm in the areas. My powers are extremely limited, and further weakened by the kryptonite we call "the day job."
How about a little less "business as usual" and a little more "this is a big problem" and showing some fire under your butts?
Both Ulster County and the City of Kingston have made the railroad a subject of legal action. I'm not sure how to communicate that ever topic brought up here is not a matter of public discussion, especially when there is legal action at stake. The county and the city monitor
all of our activity, which is why the railroad got slapped with an injunction preventing the movement of the passenger cars off Route 209.
The supporters are out there, they have shown themselves - give them something to rally behind besides "business as usual".
All press releases and official statements will come from the officers of the railroad. If you think the railroad enjoys keeping its supporters "in the dark," then you are wrong.
There have been some great suggestions offered here on RR.net - I hope they have been at least considered. Just my opinion, I think the whole situation is a crappy - and I wish you guys the best of luck - it just seems like sometimes, the railroad is sticking its head in the sand hoping things will go away and hoping for a miracle. You have to go out and make the miracle happen - business as usual isn't cutting it, and not in the court of public opinion at least. Maybe im off base, and if so I apologize, but its just kind of how things look to me, and im sure im not alone.
I'm sorry it appears to you the railroad is doing nothing. Everyone is listening. Everyone is reading. I can tell you that the railroad's lawyers definitively answered the County's "Notice to Cure" and that railroad officials are meeting with county officials, and you'll see an official statement soon. I apologize for being evasive and vague. "Loose lips sink ships..." What's the railroad equivilient? "Too much foam derails a good train of thought?"
Your best way to show support? Write letters and buy train tickets.
-otto-
a cmrr volunteer
----------------------------------------------
Moderator: New York State Railfan :: New York Central :: Toy Trains
NYW&B Fan Site ::
A Magazine I Read Often ::
A Museum I Volunteer At