129: Volunteering in Rail Preservation

The Roundhouse

Do you have questions regarding how to get volunteers into rail preservation? Where to find them? How to make them feel like part of a team? Our panel consisting of Wiscasset Waterville and Farmington Railway Trainmaster Ed Lecuyer, Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society Volunteer Coordinator Christopher Homco, and Pennsylvania Trolley Museum Volunteer Coordinator Kristen Fredriksen answers your questions!

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This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services and Rail and Road Auctions.

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About the Panelists

• Chris Homco joined the world of historic railroad operation and preservation in 2016. Throughout his journey in historical and tourist railroading, he has been involved with many operations and restoration projects all over the eastern and midwest United States in a multitude of capacities. He has planned, brought to reality, and led excursions for The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, The Mad River & NKP Museum, and The New River Train, later, the Autumn Colors Express. He has worked on restoration and projects such as UP no. 4012, WMSR no. 1309, and others. He is currently employed by the Indiana Northeastern Railroad and the Cincinnati Scenic Railway and is the Membership and Outreach Manager for the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. His one goal is to protect and preserve our country’s industrial heritage. He resides in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
• Kristen Fredriksen is a lifelong museum aficionado from Atlanta. She previously worked at the Delta Flight Museum and Southeastern Railway Museum before coming to the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in 2019. Her museum background includes everything from coordinating Hollywood productions and appearing on-air discussing transportation history to managing 125 dedicated volunteers and developing digital content. (She enjoys painting space-themed nail art and shopping at discount German grocery store chains.)
• Since he began volunteering at Maine’s Wiscasset, Waterville, and Farmington Railway Museum in 2001, Trainmaster Ed Lecuyer has consistently served the WW&F in a wide variety of capacities and capabilities. Currently, his responsibilities include public train operations, passenger ticketing, fundraising, and volunteer engagement. Professionally, Ed is a Technical Product Manager for Trimble Forestry, where he oversees digital mapping solutions and customer support. He is also an accomplished musician in liturgical and novelty styles.

Question of the Day

What questions do you have about marketing a tourist railroad, museum, or project fundraiser?

Let me know and I will respond to your comments in the next episode.

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