[luisflierl26]

Thanks for posting the menu, stuff like that is great. I downloaded a copy for the MPHS Digital collection.

[luisflierl26]

Charlie – I think you are right. I’m sorting the photos by equipment type to make it easier to search when people are looking for something (diesel, steam, passenger, freight…etc). I think I will separate out the known Collias photos and make a special collection for him (which will basically be our steam collection), the others can get divided into proper categories.

[luisflierl26]

I won’t throw it away, except for the junk photos.

I will sort out the MP stuff from the non stuff.

The steam railfan trip photos are good, most of those are probably excursions run by St Louis NRHS back in the day, I probably know some of the people in the photos when I actually sit down and go through them. They will be put to good use – all in good time.

Still scanning and sorting the 8x10s right now. Working on some cool passenger car builder photos now, one box scanned and filed, two more boxes to go.

[luisflierl26]

Most of our B&W photos are MP. The MP stuff I plan to scan and store in proper photo boxes. I am not going to individually catalog each print (at least not at this time – maybe down the road it can be done if we ever have space and work sessions).

We have a ton of 4×6 color photos taken in late 1980’s – 1990’s. Some of them are old MP equipment. Most is assorted other railroads and also UP Steam or Frisco 1522 steam, local railfan photos, or photos taken on trips. Some are of old MP depots and structures. I believe most are Dale Walker photos, or photos his friends sent to him. Most are not professional looking photos. Some of them are interesting, especially the local excursion ones.
Most of these color 4×6 photos are still stored in the original enveloped from the photo shop they came from, many still have the 35mm negatives inside the envelopes. What do we want to do with this stuff?

Just stash it in boxes as is?
See if anyone else wants it?
Should we attempt to organize?
Should we just pull out the MP related stuff?
If we decide to keep it, how archival do we want to get with this stuff?

[luisflierl26]

They sell well at train shows. They actually sell better at non-model train shows like National Train Day events or Go By Train Event. Its something the general public will buy, perhaps as a gift, especially if they had a relative who worked for MP.

[luisflierl26]

Try Barriger Library, I think they have a complete collection.

[luisflierl26]

Family Photos

[luisflierl26]

It looks like they do operate some of their equipment, I wonder if this will enter their operational fleet. They have an interesting collection of passenger cars.

[luisflierl26]

Here is the photo they shared to MPHS Facebook page. I’d like to see a full photo. Glad they restored it, another reason to visit that museum some day.

[luisflierl26]

Maybe its not MP, just something we ended up with from who knows where.

[luisflierl26]

So far any chatter I have heard about this meeting has been positive from those planning to attend. There are a few who would like to come but have other obligations. Hopefully it will create some movement and lead to better communication in the future.

[luisflierl26]

All three interviews are in dropbox. We will not do any more for a few weeks. Interested in feedback if you have a chance to watch them.

[luisflierl26]

On archives I will briefly discuss the digitizing work we are doing, mention the grant money we have received, and discuss that we are investigating options for expanded storage or moving to a larger facility, and mention the possibility of a joint effort if anyone is interested.

Overall, I don’t want to run the meeting as this is what MPHS is doing and this is what you should be doing. I want to keep it open to find out what other may or may not be doing, and hopefully get some good feedback from the other groups. However from what I see as a member of several groups, MPHS and Burlington Route seem to be the most proactive of the groups I belong to. Illinois Central is making some efforts but are having some issues as well (I think there are two IC groups now). DO we have anyone from BRHS coming?

[luisflierl26]

I’m not sure PRR and NYC even count. As I recall they both just had tables with literature and nothing for sale last year. Probably just a local member attending the show.

[luisflierl26]

It is fascinating how the personae of the steam engine has thrived in art, literature and pop culture. There are still plenty of children’s books being printed based on steam engines. Not to mention the popularity of Polar Express and Thomas. Chuggington has attempted to feature diesels more prominently, but has not reached the popularity of Thomas. Even when diesels are featured they are often early streamliners. Diesels just do not have the same character or romance as a steam engine.

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