Trying to volunteer at the railroad museum..


RedRyder77

RedRyder77

Member
Kinda bummed out that the Whippany Railroad Museum posted a pic of a Pennsy caboose and a few other things and said they needed summer help so I inquired, let them know I was available Saturday mornings, that I could turn a wrench, have a CDL license, can use a HVLP spray gun etc etc..really wanted to be a part of something like that and was told the positions for skilled labor were all filled but if I wanted to help out on Sundays when the trains ran I could.

Ehhh..kinda not really really feeling punching tickets and stuff. I gave them my # and they said if something comes up with the next project they would definitely let me know. Thought it would be a good way to contribute and meet some like minded guys.

Just venting, hoping they start something soon I can help out with! Anyone here do anything like this in their free time?
 
Do what they need you to do now, show you are a team player and you'll get 1st crack at new openings.
 
How about the URHS group in Boonton? I imagine no matter where you go, they will want to get to know you, before they accept you into their organization. Also, many of the 'historical preservation groups,' have to follow guidelines, and such, to have their efforts meet grant terms (using historically accurate materials and methods). Keep trying, and go where you fit in.
 
I agree with Ken, if you show them you are willing to do the piddly work it might give you a foot in the door on what you really want to do.
 
I have ran into the same problem here talked to a couple of clubs about joining they found out i was. new to the hobby and they got standoffish a dimised me i quiess not all clubbs what new members its a family affair
 
If it was me and my Sunday time allowed, I'd take the position. At least you'll be standing on the other side of the door when opportunity knocks. It could also be a case where they would want to have someone around for a while to get to know them before letting them work on the equipment restorations.
 
I have to agree with what has been said in terms of getting a foot in the door. I had to do a similar thing when I volunteered to work at a local Aircraft Museum. When I first started, I was the "gopher" and an "escort" for visitors. Once I had been there a little while, and shown a keen interest in certain things, I ended being in charge of their Commercial 727 Simulator (the real deal) and got the plane of my dreams to work on - an F14 Tom Cat.

In so far as Clubs are concerned, I sort of agree with Marriedwithshades. Most things in an established club are proprietary, one person is responsible for laying track, another for wiring, another for scenery and so forth. As such, it is hard to get into an established club and to be pro active. A little disheartening, but completely understandable.
 
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Clubs are in may respects like employers, unless you have demonstrable skills or references, or someone can vouch for you, the bottom is where you start.
 
Thanks everyone for the advice. After some thought I agree I will pretty much do whatever to get my foot in the door. Having said that, I have to be kind of careful on what I agree to do and when I agree to do it. I am a tractor trailer driver and while I'm home every evening with weekends off, I often have a chance to run a few hours on the weekends and the pay is really nice--plus I don't mind the work.

I don't want to say "yes" to something I may have to back out of and make myself look like a schmuck. That's just bad business. That's also one of the reasons I wasn't too thrilled with Sunday's. Aside from the work not being what I really wanted to do, sometimes I run line haul on Sun...having said all of that, I gave them my info and when someone gives me a concrete time slot, regardless of what the work is, I'll give it a shot.
 
otiscnj said:
How about the URHS group in Boonton? I imagine no matter where you go, they will want to get to know you, before they accept you into their organization. Also, many of the 'historical preservation groups,' have to follow guidelines, and such, to have their efforts meet grant terms (using historically accurate materials and methods). Keep trying, and go where you fit in.
Click to expand...

You know I was thinking about them too and I literally work right around the corner at the Old Dominion Freight Lines terminal. I have spoke to them via facebook messenger when I saw them post pictures of their festival (I believe it was last Sept) as soon as I saw the GG-1 and classic work trucks side by side my jaw dropped! Plus they are getting the Penn GG-1 back and it's being restored as we speak...I'll sweep floors just to get close to that beauty!

Another idea I had, and I kinda don't know how to go about it..but like I was saying I work for a really large freight company as an operator, if URHS has these festivals where there are some work trucks shinned up and on display, I thought it would be a really cool idea to take one of our older, or even better--brand new shinny twin axle Volvo trucks to show off. We'd get to do a little local advertising, meet our neighbors (who are celebrating a very similar industry) and maybe turn a few kids on to big trucks. I would have NO PROBLEM getting a truck there and helping out.

We're always so busy that talking to my boss about something like that is gonna take some planning but personally I think it's a good idea.
 
As many others have said, many 'groups,' often seem like a group of 'grumpy old men,' when somebody new shows up. Bottom line for most 'rail groups' is that most of the positions are 'volunteer,' meaning 1-2 people, or possibly nobody is getting paid to do anything. The 'museums,' often are dependent on 'donations' of equipment, tools, etc, so the 'group' has a vested interest in only letting the 'experienced,' people work on the 'gems' they have.

Having said that, most 'volunteer' organizations these days are facing a shortage of volunteers. Having known a few people who've been involved with 'real trains,' they require many different skill sets to be used to complete a project. With your professional background, I could see yourself being a valuable member to a 'museum group,' as many times during a 'restoration project,' they need to move some subsystems from one place to another(say from NY, or OH, to NJ), so the project can continue. Having an 'over the road' driver, who knows how to move things, and can get what they need from point A to point B, could be your ticket into the group. A little bit of 'willingness,' can go a long ways, in making yourself a 'regular volunteer/group member.'

All I'm trying to say is don't give up, and don't be afraid to 'offer whatever help you can.' You catch more flys with sugar than with vinegar.
 
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