NS

[NW Mailing List]

Jim,


I agree with you. 

In my case, I joined the NWHS in 1985, so saw NS/NW/SOU/etc. Many of my models are NS and some NW and SOU and other railroads that merged into NW/NS. My models range from the early 80’s when I purchased models of what I saw in Roanoke to things running today in the same area. I’m looking forward to getting a few more VGN diesels soon and have a kitbash planned of a VGN PA passenger locomotive along with a scratch-built Roanoke VGN station.



I focus on the lines in Virginia, especially between Roanoke and Norfolk, both NW and VGN, due to many trips I made in the 80’s to 2010 when travelling due to military duty and taking photos of what I could see then. 


I like to study the things that are here today, but looking at them as to how they evolved from the previous century, from steam to now. I have lots of books about our railroad and others that are great to learn about the past. I’ve looked at satellite photos of things like Sewells Point to see where the VGN coal yards and piers were, comparing them to things which are now Navy property. It’s been interesting to take photos near the Navy Exchange and compare items in the background that appear in VGN photo books. Examples of this would be a water tower with red and white checkerboard to protect it from the nearby military runway and Navy power plant smokestacks. I’d love to explore the fenced in area near the PX where you can still make out where the VGN yard was. I’d love to get some lumps of coal and a couple rail spikes from that area, but it’s not permitted. 


We do have books that were published and offered through the Society that explored the evolution of locations that are now NS, but were previously VGN. I think if looking at the present with how it ties to the past is done, then NS related items should be included.

 

Keeping any organization alive as we move through this century is important. We face the same thing with a small train museum I volunteer at in Fredericksburg. We have old people who just can’t physically do the work they did long ago and not enough young members coming in to take it over. Younger people see NS more than NW, because they never knew NW. The Society is a way for younger people to make that connection, to appreciate and learn about it and grow their interest in it, much as my interest in NW/VGN has grown over time. 

If we can’t generate interest from younger people with things they can relate to, we’re doomed to extinction.

 

Respectfully,

Phil Miller

 

From: NW-Mailing-List <nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org> On Behalf Of NW Mailing List
Sent: Sunday, October 27, 2024 6:14 AM
To: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
Subject: NS

 

I am sorry I forgot to sign my submission.  I am Jim Cochran, member of the BoD and chairman of the society's model committee.  I served on the board 40 years ago and even back then we were discussing NS inclusion to broaden the audience to which our efforts might appeal.  For all intents and purposes the N&W ended in 1982 with the formation of NS.  The number of folks with "first -hand" knowledge of N&W is getting smaller every year and many people out there have only ever seen "da hoss" in daily operations.  Further, I personally believe that many people like to model what they see out there in use.

As those of you who pay attention to the status of the society may know, our membership has been in decline for a number of years such that today we are a mere shadow of what we were in our heyday.  This means our revenues from both membership dues and sales are correspondingly reduced making it harder and harder to produce the Arrow or fund any other projects.

Embracing NS has always been considered as a way to get additional and perhaps some younger members into the society. 

It is not our intent to diminish our devotion to the N&W in any way and that will always be the primary focus of our society.  However we will be giving limited space in the Arrow to NS topics related to N&W in hopes of appealing fo people interested in more current aspects of the road.

This is a thumbnail of the reasoning behind our decision.  Please send your specific question and I or other BoD members will answer them as best we can and thank you for your continued support without which we cannot provide you with the Arrow, the archives, the database, and all the other things that you may take for granted. 

Jim Cochran 

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