This passenger car will no doubt look great when done. Is this the only GN Passenger car in the collection? I keep thinking, about 8 years ago when I last visited you, you had another one or two on the grounds in Pullman green- but this color is used for so many other Pullmans in your collection, I could be mistaken. Also, the last time I was there, I noticed that there were a few restored cars, (the SP,UP, Pacific Fruit Express, wood sided reefer in particular) that was starting to show early signs of deterioration. These were easily repairable if the damage was repaired early enough. Do you have a policy to put aside a small amount of money, each year, to put towards maintaining and repairing these restorations that were completed over the years? Although everyone is always eager and excited to start a new restoration project, (we all look forward to that, even me) the efforts of all of your volunteers and the funding over the years would have been in vain if a piece of rotted wood or damaged paint and bubbling rust is allowed to develop and grow, destroying more of the surrounding wood and metal. If addressed later than sooner, the damage and cost to repair it will be greater as well. It might be worth while to have your people and volunteers occasionally do a walk around restored equipment, and take note of any minor damage developing and quickly repair it even if it is nothing more than having someone grinding the rust off of a spot and just priming it, this is better than allowing the damage to it to grow. The same thing with wood slats or siding. These small repairs would be perfect work for the occasional volunteer that comes to help out over a weekend. These are minor repairs, but yet getting them done are priceless in regards to saving the museum from future major repairs and expenses. In most cases, the cans of paint, or siding is already there on the grounds so there is no extra expenses, you just need helpers. If I lived near you guys, I would help you, since I'm out of work right now, but Massachusetts is quite a distance from Union. Readers give me some feedback on this subject, is what I am suggesting make any sense? Keep up the good work guys I wish you nothing but success on your projects. with fond thoughts Mike

Robert, I am sorry to hear about the lack of interest by volunteers, and I meant no insult intended by over simplifying the process to get these repairs done. I was discussing the PFE reefer as an example, but it can be applied to any piece in your collection from Diesel engines to building structures to antique ticket punchers. At the age of 49, I am starting to feel some of my age starting to creep up on me. Because I was raised to try to reuse and repair what I have, as much as possible, (within reason, somethings are just plain obsolete). It bothered me to see something fall apart from neglect that could still be saved or repaired. I mourn some things in this world that could still have value to others, if for no other reason than to not waste still usable materials or to save the last one of something just so the next generation can see it. My mother's uncle in Riverside IL. was a watch maker, and jeweler, he was one of the last ones in the Riverside area, with these precision repair skills, and when he died, a trade, and a profession that is now a lost art from today in this disposable world of throw away merchandise, and instant gratification died with him. I am sorry to say that a lot of younger people today are not willing to put in the required hard work, or the necessary time and effort to do it right the first time. My personal hobby is restoring antique Lionel Trains, my collection is extensive, and I have had a lot of self taught experience repairing and restoring them correctly. This experience came about because in my younger years, I could not afford pristine pieces, so I bought or acquired cheaper samples and restored them, and repaired them, so I could have a sample in my collection. If I said I never lost a patient on the operating table, I would be lying to you, but as long as I learned from my experience and remembered to not repeat my mistake, then my steam engine did not die needlessly. Fortunately, those that did not make it became organ donors which were used for other trains so all was not lost. I taught myself how to fix and repair Lionel trains, and got the necessary repair books, repair parts,or sometimes cannibalized other pieces, or made my own parts, in order to repair them. Occasionally I was able to trade up if a nicer sample came along at the shows over the years. The point I am trying to say is, that I wish more people had the necessary foresight and skills that the past generations had to anticipate a developing problem before it becomes a major problem. I have seen this behavior in the manufacturing and electronics industry for years from some of the younger members of the workforce today. Sometimes there just are no shortcuts, no instant gratification or quick results, sometimes, you just have to do the right thing as uncomfortable as it might be to do it right. Ask any member of your family folks who is older than you, how much discomfort they had to endure over the years to get the job done, what sacrifices they made so you would have an easier lifestyle. Finally, to all of you who give your time and effort to preserve these historic pieces of mechanical history and culture, from our parents and grandparents generation, thank you from all of us who can't physically work beside you, but support you all emotionally, financially (For those of us who can) and in spirit. And for those of you who are afraid to get your fingers dirty, don't be, their have been some amazing breakthroughs in chemistry the last 30 years, and there are many different brands of hand soaps and laundry soaps available to resolve any doubts about dirt you may have. Good luck and have a "Happy Fathers Day" don't forget to wave at the camera when you are on the grounds folks, just remember I'm watching all of you from Massachusetts. Mike