by Noel Weaver
Alcoman wrote:".. restoration efforts require lots of things in short supply: time, people, money (and a good facility). "The M. & H. chapter had an opportunity a few years back to move the
The M&H Chapter had plently of all of the above including a place to work on the equipment until they were thrown out by Guilford.
The problem was more related to:
1) How the people who wanted to work were treated. We had 1 guy who thought he knew more than anyone else and treated people like they knew nothing. We had a good number of people who showed up on weekends ready to help only to end up walking away in disgust because of this same person who did not know how to run a work group. People quit coming to the work sessions after awhile.
2) I helped raise over $15,000 dedicated for equipment restoration only to watch it get used for a large part on non-equipment purposes. This was due to the fact that the group spent more money than they took in and "borrowed" from the equipment preservation account. This money was never repayed. There was nothing left for any projects in the end.
3) I was equipment chairman at one point and after proposing some painting jobs including the S-motor and T-Motor, I was refused permission to spend the money needed to do it even tho we had the money in the equipment fund.
4) I had proposed leasing out various pieces of equipment to operating museums to restore those that needed to be restored in exchange
for those groups using same. As an example, I proposed that the RS-3 be sent to the Adirondack Scenic or Battenkill free for one year in exchange
for needed repairs . After which a lease on a sliding scale would have been proposed. I was turned down for this Flat!
So you see, the problem with this group was more than skin deep. It had some very serious issues which resulted in many members quitting the group who otherwise were interested in supporting it.
As of now, the group has less than 20 members many of which are incapable of doing any physical labor anymore to work on equipment, no money, and no place to do anything on equipment.
They used to Co-sponsor a Train Show in Albany and now they don't do that either.
The remaining equipment neededs to be given away to groups and museums who are willing and able to retore and maintain it.
equipment to a location where it would have been properly cared for.
At this point, most if not all of the equipment can not be moved on its own
wheels and we are talking bucks to get this stuff to a safe haven.
M. & H. members most likely do not even know what is there or just where
the stuff is. The only reason that I knew was because I still have some
railroad connections there
The organization no longer even puts out a newsletter to keep its members informed.
To me it is a very sad situation.
Noel Weaver
