[PRCo] Re: Donating models

[Edward H. Lybarger]

Hi, Mark and All,

Plans for the proposed visitor center include a room off the "great hall"
where the Lionel layout can be left up year round, and where trolley models
can be displayed simultaneously.  My intention here is to educate...to show
the difference between toys (Lionel) and scale models, and also perhaps to
illustrate car types not in the collection.  We presently have a quantity of
half-inch models of Pittsburgh and West Penn cars from Bill Dice, and
Philadelphia cars made by Jim Richards.  These are exquisitely crafted
pieces.  I have spoken with Chick Siebert about my desire to have one or two
of his O scale cars (likewise exquisite) for the purpose.  We also have
Henry Elsner's beautiful O scale rendition of MWP's Clarksburg Terminal,
which will likely remain in operational status, and its cars.  There will
likely not be room for any lengthy operation of the larger scale models.

Others?  The St. Petersburg cars are superbly done and fit in.  Corgi has a
place as well.  Final decisions as to what to display and where will be made
based on how much we have and how much space there is.

The other reality we are facing is the drying up of government funds for
projects like ours.  When Pennsylvania is a billion dollars shy of balancing
its annual budget, they're not going to pass out $4 or 5 million to us for a
new building.  Likewise, with federal gas tax revenues way down, I don't
look for another $400-500,000 award to rebuild a streetcar for a while.  So
until our economy gets straightened out, we will be maintaining the status
quo (the exception will be a new classroom, for which private funding has
been obtained) on the physical plant and will be finishing out the projects
already funded.  By then, we may have some direction.  But it is impractical
for the nation (or its inhabitants) to continue to spend money it doesn't
have...that's a recipe for even worse economic times.

And by the time we are able to build our VC, someone other than me may be in
charge of this aspect of the project!  Never underestimate how long these
things take!

Ed

-----Original Message-----
From: pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org
[mailto:pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org] On Behalf Of Mark
McGuire
Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2009 11:06 AM
To: Pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
Subject: [PRCo] Donating models

 This is mainly meant for Ed Lybarger as I've always wondered what PTM's
stance is on models. I think it would be awesome for PTM to set up a model
room(perhaps when the new visitor center is finished)to display some trolley
models and even a couple modules. Would PTM accept donations of SPTC cars in
my will? Even my customized Corgi cars? I would hate to see them go to waste
when I leave this earth.

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