The rail preservation industry has become so massive, that there seems to be a new project started at least once a week. Rail preservation projects are responsible for keeping tourist lines running, locomotives operating, and keeping equipment in good condition. To ensure that this all happens, there needs to be hands there to help get these projects completed. These projects require a wide demographic of people who can help. From welders who can join the necessary materials together, to writers like myself who can help get the word out about these projects and potentially help raise funds for these projects. The problem is, where are all these people?? Is there some other factors that are creating this dilemma?
Rick Rowlands was courteous enough to take time for an interview regarding this whole problem.
RPJ:On any given weekend when you are helping with a preservation project, like let's say laying down rail or doing cosmetic touch ups on a locomotive, is there typically a lack of volunteers?
RR: It depends on the project and the location. Projects such as steam loco restorations tend to attract more people than lets say restoring a caboose might. Projects outside of major population centers tend to have more volunteers than those located in cities.
The real lack is in competent qualified people. Its relatively easy to find people to do manual labor, but its rare to find those with skills and even rare to find someone who is a self directed with skills. Someone that you can give a project to and who can get it done with minimal direction
RPJ: What are some ways this problem can be fixed?
RR: Well for one, schools need to stop pushing college only and start getting people interested in the trades. Because college grads who can't change a tire are not going to be the ones who volunteer at the local rail museum! Another problem is there seems to be a disconnect between the railfan population and the rail preservationists. Not much crossover between the two that I see. Some more fans need to volunteer at the local rail museum. Make some friends, learn a skill etc. There is much more to railroads than chasing heritage units and taking pictures. Working on the stuff can also be a lot of fun and nothing is more satisfying than after a long hard day, looking at what you accomplished. Whether it be a paint job on a car or a section of track built.
RPJ: For sure, a big boy can't fix itself! What do you think are some of the reasons why railfans and preservationists don't intermingle much? Is there tension or just a lack of effort?
RR: Some of us preservationists can be grumpy and not as welcoming as we could be. I think we don't do as good of a job on outreach. Also, many fans just don't have an interest in working with their hands because they haven't been exposed to it. Many kids grow up and never have worked on anything so its something totally alien to them. it goes back to the schools and pushing college and getting rid of shop classes. High schools used to give kids a well rounded education. You could take wood shop, ,metal shop, auto mechanics etc. Nowadays schools contract with vocational schools to offer those classes, but unlike in the past where a student could take a shop class or two, they now have to choose between college track and stay at HS with their friends or choose trades track and go off to the vo-tech. You cannot become well rounded in that case.
Its not supposed to be an either-or. Its suppose to be a little bit of both, this short sighted decision made by many schools has caused this country HUGE problems.
RPJ: So where do you see the preservation industry if things don't change?
RR: Slowly dwindling away. Smaller operations will close up and the larger ones will find it harder to get people. Look at most museums you visit, Mostly older people.
RPJ: What can the average Joe in the preservation industry do to prevent the flame from dying out eventually?
RR: I don't know. Demographics and shifting societal interests seem to be against us
RPJ: So do you think this is more of a political dilemm a that may be out of our control?
RR: The entire country is changing away from being a manufacturing powerhouse and when the manufacturing jobs are lost so too are people who know how to do things. Also when the good paying jobs go away people have less time for leisure activities because they are busy trying to survive.
RPJ: Do easier times lead to better volunteer turnouts?
RR: Generally. Also more visitorship
RPJ: One final question do you feel there is a need for these projects to reach out more through social media?
RR: More communication is always helpful!
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