Re: Railway Museum or Theme Park?

[Craig Warton <Craigw@wolf.net.au>]

WhaleOilBeefHooked wrote:

> John Wayman wrote in message <7pkpa7$hgq$1@news1.mpx.com.au>...
>
> >Should a railway museum display its exhibits to show them as they looked
> >when in service, or are railway museums just railway theme parks for the
> >indulgences of museum workers and the general population?
>
> All of the above. The museums would not get up and running without the
> efforts of the museum workers, most of whom are volunteers. Without them,
> most of the junk they hold (oops, I mean exhibits) would have been scrapped
> ages ago. Surely it is better to have something that is 90% accurate than
> nothing at all?
>
> DaveP
> (Not a musuem worker)

The problem I have is the use of the word "museum". I was in Melbourne a few
weeks back and went to Williamtown to waste my Sunday afternoon. To me, it
seemed like every loco had a plaque (or two) to commemerate someone. I
personally thought it was a little over the top, as were the garish colour
scemes. I do not have any great care about what colour a working loco is
painted, but a static restoration (or conservation as it really should be)
should display an item in factual condition.

The Sydney Tramway Museum display all its stock in appropriate livery and they
get a good number of visitors. No one seems concerned to see a purple tram and
a red one and.....

Regards,

Craig