ASSOCIATION OF TOURIST RAILWAYS

29 and 30 MAY 2004

Seminar

Heritage Trams
Sustainable into the Future?

Warren Doubleday

n    Our Will our Collection (trams) be with us in 600 years time?

           Bill Sidebottom, Science Museum c1985

Introduction

n     Can we sustain our tramway heritage?

n     Is our environment now a hostile one?

n     What are the sustainable factors?

n     Our relationship with heritage rail?

 n     Who is COTMA?

Sustaining Our Heritage

n      Sustainability – many definitions

Endure, keep going continuously.

  Financial Security = Sustainability

n      Our environment – often hostile:

u   Physical

u   Political

u   Financial

u   Community

u   Industry

n      Though seldom intended.

Where Have We Come From?

n     Volunteer efforts

n     Collected large items – need for sheds

n     No regulations, rules – toys for the boys!

n     Obtained a venue – demonstration track

n     Operated and “restored” vehicles

n     Trained crews

n     Organisation growth –

u   as a Museum, rather than a tourist function

u  Often serving a transportation need.

Today

n     The “hostile” environment

u  Regulations

u  Insurance – Risk Management

u  Community Expectations and relevance

u  Aging workforce

u  Collection Management

u  National Reform

u  The Tourism Industry

u  Our Management.

But …..

u  People are for us

u  Generally robust organisations

u  Community - Cultural Heritage recognised

u  Volunteerism – is good for you

u  Government positive

u  Our Umbrella Associations are growing

u  Museum Practices (MAP) & Management knowledge

u  The face of Public Transport is changing

u  Our Equipment – still maintainable.

Heritage Rail Preservation

n     “… in transition from inward-oriented preservation organisations to outward oriented educational and public service institutions that recognise a responsibility to hold their collections in the public trust.”

 Preamble to Recommended Practices for Railway Museums – Association for Railway Museums.

Sustainable Factors

n     People – us

n     Our Collections – our heritage

n     The Venues or our tracks

n     The Environment:

u  Regulators & Insurers - relationships

u  Government – all tiers – build relationships

u  Community – our visitors, workers, expectations

u  Industry -  Our Associations – collaborations, relationships.

 The Paradigm Shift?

n     “Boys and their Toys”

n     Physical Conservation only

n     Not with the Social Context

n     Birth Control

n     Just Vehicle demonstration (ride) or do we tell “The Story’

n     What does the Visitor want to see?

n     The Product!

Towards a Sustainable Future?

n     Tell an exciting story

n     Apply good Museum Practices

u  Management

u  Collections

u  The Venue

n     Get Organised– build the right environment

n     Relationships – community, government & industry.

Next Steps

n     National Rail Heritage Group?

n     Community Involvement

n     Be Outward Looking

n     Collaborate with the Rail Industry

n     Build the right product

n     Plan for a Sustainable Future.

In Conclusion

n    Sustain our Tramway heritage?– Yes

n    A hostile environment? – it could be – be involved -> Industry Assoc.

n    The Sustainable Factors? – people, collection, venue and environment.

n    Heritage Rail relationship? – must be strong.

In 600 years time?

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