|
"In The News" ... from the museum newsletter, The Depot Dispatch. Volume 25 - (ISSUES IN REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER) Candy Cane Train - (Vol. 25, No. 4 - Winter 2005-2006) With Thanksgiving just around the corner, another holiday season is upon us, including the railroad museum’s own contribution to the year-end merrymaking — the always-anticipated Candy Cane Train, which opens on Friday, Nov. 25. The South Coast Railroad Museum has received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency serving the nation's museums and libraries. The $23,900 matching grant will be used to conduct a comprehensive review, reformulation and revitalization of the museum’s volunteer program. IMLS is also using the railroad museum’s application as one of 21 sample proposals for use by future Museums For America grant applicants. No Fumbling On Super Saturday! - (Vol. 25, No. 4 - Winter 2005-2006) The 10th annual “Super Saturday!” is scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. on Feb. 4 at the railroad museum. The event, which is always held the day before the Super Bowl football game, will also mark the first 2006 weekend day of free miniature-train rides for the visiting public. Everyone who takes part will also receive one of the oversized, football-shaped souvenir tickets that have become a Super Saturday! trademark. The American Pension Co; Cold Spring Tavern; Michael Gartzke, C.P.A.; “Dr J” Neel, Optometrist; Bruce & Andrea Morden Family; Ken Pontifex Family; Ramada Limited; Santa Barbara Hobbies; State Farm Insurance (Agents Ed Attlesey & Tammy Dobrotin); Peter Tiersma and Western Welding. Every year, many previous sponsors return to renew their support of the event. Foundation Grants Will Allow Miniature-Railroad Repairs & Improvements To Move Forward - (Vol. 25, No. 4 - Winter 2005-2006) The museum has received a $5,000 grant from the Santa Barbara Foundation. This award, together with grants previously received from the Alice Tweed Tuohy Foundation and the Wood-Claeyssens Foundation, now form a $14,000 fund, which will be used for much-needed repairs to the Goleta Short Line miniature railroad. Museum’s Holiday Party Is Annual Informal Affair - (Vol. 25, No. 4 - Winter 2005-2006) Your holiday-season schedule is probably always crammed with activities and obligations, but we sincerely hope that you will be able to find room on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 7 to join us at the museum’s annual holiday party. It will be held at the Goleta Library, 500 North Fairview Ave., starting at 7 p.m. You are welcome to bring along family members or a guest. Welcome New Members - (Vol. 25, No. 4 - Winter 2005-2006) The latest additions to the museum family are three new Junior Engineers Club members. They are Quinn Fergusson, Spencer F. Greenwald and Isabella C. Pinter. Fairview Car Wash Renews “Free Wednesdays” Sponsorship - (Vol. 25, No. 4 - Winter 2005-2006) Through the generosity of Fairview Car Wash, the popular Free-Ride Wednesdays will return to the museum in January. Museum visitors of all ages will be able to ride the Goleta Short Line miniature train as often as they like any Wednesday between the hours of 2 and 3:45 p.m. In the interest of safety, all train riders must meet the museum’s 34-inch minimum-height requirement. If you’d like to see a wonderful operating exhibit of Lionel trains, don’t miss the 15th annual “Festival Of Toy Trains” in Goleta. The display, which is the creation of collector and model railroader Dave Halbeisen, offers a nostalgic look at how toy trains and the holiday season have gone together — whether in department-store windows or around the Christmas tree. The Festival features rare and antique locomotives, cars and accessories, as well as the latest Lionel trains, sporting digital controls and sounds. The Festival takes place at Goleta Library, 500 North Fairview Ave. on Friday, Dec. 9 thru Sunday the 11th. Hours are 10-5:30 Friday & Saturday, 1-5 on Sunday. There is no admission charge. Backing up the operating exhibition will be a static display of toy trains and equipment, which will be available for viewing in the library lobby throughout the month of December. Candy-Cane Ornaments & New DVDs Highlight Museum Store’s Holiday-Gift Answers - (Vol. 25, No. 4 - Winter 2005-2006) Are you searching for that perfect gift for the rail fan or history buff on your holiday shopping list? Look no further than the railroad museum’s Trackside Shop, where there’s always plenty of free parking and every purchase benefits the museum and its programs. Where else can you receive a 10% discount just for being a museum member? We have candy-cane tree ornaments bearing the museum’s name, gift baskets, lots of new train-theme DVDs, including The Polar Express and Thomas The Tank Engine titles, and some great new Thomas puzzles. For the collector, we have some of the last-remaining authentic Goleta lemon-crate labels, available individually or in complete sets of all seven labels. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and personal checks. New Screen In Museum Theater - (Vol. 25, No. 4 - Winter 2005-2006) The Gandy Dancer Theater now has a handsome new monitor thanks to a 2004 grant from the Santa Barbara Foundation. The 36-inch Sony model replaces the 15-year-old rear-projection monitor, whose picture quality had deteriorated substantially in recent years. The Santa Barbara Foundation grant also was used to purchase four network security cameras for use around the museum and grounds. Visitor Center Nears Completion - (Vol. 25, No. 4 - Winter 2005-2006) The Visitor Center is tantalizingly close to completion. Painting, rain gutters, communications wiring, and a small concrete pad at the rear door are about all that are needed to complete the project. There is still time for you to make a final contribution to the Building Fund, whether you are making your first contribution or adding to previous gifts that you have made. Indeed, this is an especially important time for the project to receive a boost of additional funding, since the Building Fund has dwindled to under $1,000, with about $10,000 needed for completion. To make your tax-deductible gift, please use the year-end contribution form that accompanied this newsletter mailing. Depot Day 2005 Report - (Vol. 25, No. 4 - Winter 2005-2006) The 23rd annual Depot Day, held Sept. 25, proved to be the most successful fall fundraiser in the history of the museum. Much of the credit for that success must go to the long list of volunteers who helped — in so many different ways — to ensure that Depot Day ran as smoothly as possible. Depot Day audiences were entertained by the lively musical performances of the Monte Vista Elementary School chorus, ably directed by Radu Azdril. Another youth group that helped enormously on Depot Day was the Santa Barbara High School Jr. ROTC, under Master Sergeant Steven D. Potts. The ROTC cadets took charge of the event’s parking services, and also helped with event setup, track switching for the handcar and speeder, and other key event activities. Another partnering organization, California Operation Lifesaver, had an information booth at Depot Day. Operation Lifesaver instructor John Staugaard, who is also a Coast Starlight guide at our museum, was responsible for assembling and manning the booth through the day. Barbecue cooks, servers and sales staff included Liz Anderson, Kathy Chalfant, Carol Huston, Todd Littlehale, Ken Pontifex, Elaine Rymills, Lorraine Saunders and Esther Velarde. The Goleta Short Line trains were operated and successfully kept in running order by Gene Allen, Ron Bruns, Jean-Guy Dube, Kent Johnson, Ken Roberts, Walter Waldau and Paul Williams. Inspection-car rides on his Ventura County Railway “speeder” were given by Bob Mahan. Handcar rides were handled skillfully by Noel Langle and Bruce Morden. Admissions-table staffing was the responsibility of Jude Blau, Mary Hopson, Dick Shelton and Esther Velarde.
Arlene Radasky and Rose Ann Hill were on duty on Goleta Depot’s second floor, where they shared the former station agent’s living quarters with our Depot Day visitors. Many of these same volunteers also teamed up with museum staff members in running errands, as well as setup and cleanup activities, which spanned many days. Also assisting were Kip Kramer and Peter Tiersma. Special thanks are due also to Pastor Paul Hoefer and Christ Lutheran Church for granting the museum permission to us the church field for overflow parking. A long list of other friends, businesses and organizations donated or loaned equipment, supplies and auction items for Depot Day. Museum Tree Renews A Long American Railroading Tradition - (Vol. 25, No. 4 - Winter 2005-2006) If you find yourself driving along Los Carneros Road during the holidays, be sure to look for the Christmas tree in Goleta Depot’s upstairs window bay. Venoco, News-Press and Valley Voice Give Advertising Support - (Vol. 25, No. 4 - Winter 2005-2006) The museum wishes to publicly thank Venoco, Inc., the Santa Barbara News-Press and the Goleta Valley Voice for their help in promoting the 2005 Depot Day celebration. Each of these organizations donated either free advertising space or a cash gift to help ensure that more local families learned about this year’s event. The museum also partnered with SBParent.com for mutual promotion of events and programs. Coast Starlight Rail Program Looking For New Volunteers - (Vol. 25, No. 4 - Winter 2005-2006) Volunteers are now being recruited for the museum’s interpretive program aboard Amtrak’s Coast Starlight trains. The program is now on winter hiatus as we prepare for another busy year of day trips to San Luis Obispo and overnights to Oakland. Over the past 12 months, the museum’s volunteers made 147 presentatations aboard Coast Starlight trains, reaching an audience of about 28,000 rail passengers. Persons interested in taking part in the program during 2006 should plan to attend a required day-long orientation and training session on Saturday, Jan. 28. This training is only offered once a year. After one additional evening class, guide-recruits will begin on-the-job training aboard the Coast Starlight, working with senior guides and members of the museum staff. For more information, please contact the museum office (805-964-3540 or info@goletadepot.org). Annual Display Shares Precious Personal Keepsakes - (Vol. 25, No. 4 - Winter 2005-2006) Another year-end tradition at the railroad museum is the annual holiday display, “Toy Trains and Teddy Bears!,” which, like the Candy Cane Cane, begins the day after Thanksgiving When you visit the museum during the holidays, be sure to make a trip to the Waiting Room, to enjoy the show. The exhibition’s label couldn’t say it any better: “Toy Trains & Teddy Bears! What better symbols are there of the Holidays, Past and Present. In that spirit, these cherished keepsakes are shared anew this Joyous Season – as their gift to you – by members of our Museum Family, young and old.” This Issue Sponsored By: Wilson Printing - (Vol. 25, No. 3 - Fall 2005) It's Time For Depot Day - (Vol. 25, No. 3 - Fall 2005) The 23rd annual Depot Day will take place on Sunday, Sept. 25. Depot Day celebrates the history of Goleta Depot, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the California Registry of Historical Resources, and has been designated Santa Barbara County Historical Landmark No. 22. Depot Day is the only occasion during the year when museum guests can enjoy rides on three different types of vehicles that run on rails. Rides will be offered on a historic inspection car, which once ran on the Ventura County Railway. The “speeder” car will be operated by its owner, Bob Mahan. Depot Day will also feature rides on the museum handcar and on the Goleta Short Line miniature train. All rides are $1 each on Depot Day. The Depot Day silent auction has been a central attraction of the event for two decades. It was started in 1985, replacing traditional auction and “Unclaimed Freight and Baggage” sales formats. Those in the know have long seen the auction as a great opportunity for picking up valuable goods and services at bargain prices, while helping the museum at the same time. Museum Receives NEH Award - (Vol. 25, No. 3 - Fall 2005) The museum has received a Preservation Assistance Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The $5,000 grant will help the museum develop a long-term conservation plan for its collections. Assisting in that effort is Beverly Perkins, a professional conservator and Western Region Field Service Officer for the San Diego-based Balboa Art Conservation Center. Free Wednesdays Are Back, Thanks To Bermant Company - (Vol. 25, No. 3 - Fall 2005) Bermant Development Co. has generously picked up the option on Free Wednesdays, enabling the popular weekly afternoon of free miniature-train rides to resume back in July.
Free Wednesdays will continue until Thanksgiving, when the Candy Cane Train takes center stage at the museum. Wednesday free rides are exepected to start again in January, however, with Fairview Car Wash resuming its sponsor’s role. Visitor Center Nears Completion - (Vol. 25, No. 3 - Fall 2005) As this issue of the Depot Dispatch goes to press, work on the Visitor Center project is nearing completion. All of the exterior work is done, except for painting and rain gutters. On the inside, all of the electrical wiring is in, to be followed shortly by the communications wiring, security, insulation and drywall. Wordsworths, Lions, Bank Renew Engine & Car Sponsorships - (Vol. 25, No. 3 - Fall 2005) Jon and Beth Wordsworth have renewed their sponsorship of “The Gray Engine,” Goleta Short Line locomotive No. 2655. The Goleta Lions Club and Community West Bank have renewed sponsorship of passenger cars No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. Volunteer News: Coast Starlight Guides - (Vol. 25, No. 3 - Fall 2005) It’s been a rough summer for the volunteers of the Coast Starlight program. Amtrak’s trains have experienced major delays throughout much of the summer due to Union Pacific trackwork in the Pacific Northwest. The result has been many canceled guide trips, while most of those that were completed required the volunteers to return home very late and frequently by bus rather than train. Volunteers At The Museum Grant Will Help Improve Museum’s Volunteer Program - (Vol. 25, No. 3 - Fall 2005) The Institute of Museum and Library Services has awarded the railroad museum a grant in its “Museums For America” program. The $24,000 grant will help us improve and enhance the museum’s volunteer program.
Our museum is one of only 169 museums nationwide that received a 2005 Museums For America grant. The program is open to zoos, botanic gardens, science centers and museums of all types and sizes. Ours was the only grant awarded in the Tri-Counties area. Jr. Engineers Club Party - (Vol. 25, No. 3 - Fall 2005) The annual gathering of the museum’s Junior Engineers Club members took place on Thursday, July 14. There were dozens of Junior Engineers and family members at the event, which included plenty of snacks, beverages, and generous slices of the trademark Junior Engineers cake. Welcome New Members - (Vol. 25, No. 3 - Fall 2005) William T. Simpson, Jr. is a new Sustaining member and also a new museum volunteer. More than $12,300 was raised in support of general museum operations during the Spring Fundraiser. Pledge-getters included trustees Joan Hanna, Noel Langle, David Chapman, Kip Kramer, and Dick Shelton, and staff members Phyllis Olsen, Gary Coombs and Thea Cremers. Thanks to everyone who donated this year! This Issue Sponsored By: Carroll Plumbing and Maintenance, Inc. - (Vol. 25, No. 2 - Summer 2005) Steamin' Up For Summer - (Vol. 25, No. 2 - Summer 2005) The 19th annual Steaming Summer, the South Coast Railroad Museum’s only two-day event, is set for the weekend of July 30-31. The main attraction of Steaming Summer are the miniature steam locomotives that make a much-anticipated once-a-year visit to the museum. These handsome custom-built engines are also real powerhouses – ready to haul tons of rail cars and passengers during a typical event weekend. The 2005 Steaming Summer roster includes a variety of steam locomotives, including Gene Allen’s 4-4-0 American and an 0-6-0 switcher that Ed Winnewisser will be bringing down from Atascadero. San Bernardino County’s Ron Wilkerson, who made his first Steaming Summer appearance in 2004 with a Ten-Wheeler, plans to return this year with a 2-6-0 Mogul. Mike Hitchcock of Covina will bring another 4-4-0 American – one that Gene Allen built during the Bicentennial, back in 1976. Ted Cheesman and his circus-train cars will be at Steaming Summer again this year. The box car with the water-squirting elephants and the musical calliope car with bubble-blowing bear are two of Steaming Summer’s most popular diversions. The circus theme will carry over into the model-railroad exhibit, where Ken and Carolyn Weber’s “K&C Famous Family Circus” will return to the vacant lot near the Santa Barbara roundhouse that has become its summer home. The HO-scale three-ring circus, including big top and operating circus train, has been enchanting Steaming Summer audiences since 1999. Daily admission to Steaming Summer is only $4 ($3.75 for members), which includes unlimited train and handcar rides (Riders must meet minimum-height requirements: 34” for the train; 48” for the handcar.). The admission charge applies to everyone, including those who choose not to ride. Infants and any others who are unable to ride the train will be admitted at no charge. For late arrivals, the admission price is lowered to $3 after 3 p.m. Advance tickets, at 50¢ off (75¢ off with membership card) are now available in the museum’s Trackside Shop. The Steaming Summer program will also include continuous free showings of railroad films, with an emphasis on steam locomotion, including tutorials on how to operate and maintain a steam engine — to be shown in the museum's Gandy Dancer Theater. Tri-tip sandwiches, “Depot Dogs,” beverages, and other lunch and snack items will be available during the event. Don't miss this once-a-year opportunity to ride on a steam-powered Goleta Short Line train! Free-Ride Days Bring Fun, Action, New Visitors - (Vol. 25, No. 2 - Summer 2005) The museum is always a busy place when there are free rides for the visiting public. Two recent cases are great examples of free-ride days at their very best. On March 5, a free day was sponsored by the Lambda Theta Nu sorority at UCSB. The event was designed to attract new audiences to the museum, especially from the local Latino community. Samantha was able to secure sponsorship support from several local businesses, including Domino’s, Saigon Noodle House, Santa Cruz Market and the Goleta Valley Voice, which made it possible to advertise the event, as well as to include free pizza and beverages to accompany the afternoon’s free train rides. The result was one of the busiest free days ever recorded at the museum, including many families making first-time visits. The other special free day was Rotary Day, which celebrated its fifth anniversary on June 18. Like the Lambda Theta Nu event, Rotary Day is something special because members of the sponsoring Rotary Club of Goleta Noontime are always on hand – to greet visitors and help run the handcar ride, which has become a regular part of their event. Rotarian Michael Gartzke, in particular, deserves much for the success that Rotary Day has achieved. Combined, the Lambda Theta Nu and Rotary events were responsible for 398 free train and handcar rides. They introduced a lot of new people to the museum, and brought hours of pleasures to these and to many others. “Elks Day” Coming Aug. 20 - (Vol. 25, No. 2 - Summer 2005) Come and enjoy free rides on the afternoon of Saturday, Aug. 20, thanks to the sponsorship support of Santa Barbara Elks Lodge No. 613. Ride the train and handcar as often as you like on “Elks Day,” from 1:15 until 3:45 p.m. Don’t Miss Jr. Engineers Party!! - (Vol. 25, No. 2 - Summer 2005) The museum’s annual Junior Engineers Club Party will be held Thursday, July 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. on the museum grounds. There will be delicious refreshments and free miniature-train rides for all in attendance. To make reservations, please call the museum office (964-3540). Each Junior Engineer member may bring two guests (parent, sibling, relative or friend) without charge. There is a charge of $3 each for any additional guests). Welcome New Members - (Vol. 25, No. 2 - Summer 2005) New museum members include Victor Andazola, Donovan Chalfant, Manuel Corral, Ysidra Corral, James Donlon, Richard Guske, Tim Hannon, Thomas Alan Harders, Arthur Kohn, Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Kenneth Lewis, Benjamin F. Mallard, Patricia Martzen, Seth Olitzky, Elaine Rymills, John C. Staugaard, Benny Torres, Beverly Torres, Esther Velarde, Paul Williams, and Glenn R. Zimmerman. The newest Junior Engineers Club members are Devon Acker, Aidan Barcia-Bacon, Eli Baur, Myles DeBra-Thompson, Cage Jacob Englander, Jed Langer-Weida, Simon Machin and Nevaeh Oberon. Welcome aboard, one and all! Spring Fundraiser Results Are In! - (Vol. 25, No. 2 - Summer 2005) More than $13,000 was raised during the 24th annual Spring Fundraiser. Pledges were received from about 150 museum members and friends and from local businesses and organizations. It was one of the largest amounts ever raised over the event’s history. The funds will be used to support general museum operations. The handcar was easily victorious over the miniature train in the “Great Goleta Rail Race,” the competition portion of the event that included free train and handcar rides for all visitors. Museum Steps Up To Help - (Vol. 25, No. 2 - Summer 2005) The railroad museum participated in the 2005 Optimist Adventure Camp, which was held on Wed., April 6. The program, held during the spring elementary-school break, focuses on children of working parents, mostly from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Goleta and Santa Barbara Westside. There were about 35 participating youngsters this year, who were treated to free handcar rides, sponsored by Chuck Eckert, and rides on the miniature train, compliments of Fairview Car Wash. The event is organized by the Breakfast Optimist Club of Goleta. Volunteer News: * Goodbye, Edee! * New Volunteers * * Oakland Program Has Rocky Start * - (Vol. 25, No. 2 - Summer 2005) Sadly, we must bid a fond farewell to Edee Brown, who has been a regular museum volunteer for almost two decades, mostly as a clerk in the museum store. Edee and her husband, Carroll, have moved to Oregon where she can be near her sister. The Coast Starlight program has 18 new guides-in-training — a result of an April-May recruiting drive. Welcome to Victor Andazola, Donovan Chalfant, Manuel Corral, Ysidra Corral, James Donlon, Richard Guske, Tim Hannon, Thomas Alan Harders, Arthur Kohn, Kenneth Lewis, Benjamin Mallard, Pat Martzen, Elaine Rymills, John C. Staugaard, Benny Torres, Beverly Torres, Esther Velarde, and Glenn Zimmerman. New recruits for the miniature-train are Seth Olitzky and Paul Williams. Also joining the museum’s volunteers are Ken Roberts, a Dos Pueblos High School student who is completing his community-service requirement at the museum and Kent Johnson, a new intern from UCSB. The expanded Coast Starlight program got off to a rough start on June 9-10 when Museum Director Gary Coombs took guides Allie Pressman, Jerry Pressman and Parkie Parker on an inaugural training trip. Train 14, the northbound Coast Starlight didn’t deliver the museum team to their Oakland destination until 2:51 a.m., over five hours late, and the following day’s return to Santa Barbara aboard the southbound Train 11 fared even worse – over six hours late. The group, however, did reach an audience of more than 600 Coast Starlight passengers over the two days, using the train’s public-address system to describe local history, points of interest, natural history, and things to do along the railroad route. More Oakland trips are planned for July 21-24. Other volunteers enrolled in the Oakland program include Doug Barteld, Carla Cabanatuan, Ted Cheesman, Jim Felland, Nancy Johnke, Ed Leska and Lavonne Sanchez. The museum also conducts a Santa Barbara-to-San Luis Obispo program, which has been in operation since 1998. Both are offered in partnership with the Juan Bautista De Anza National Historic Trail and the “Trails & Rails” program of the National Park Service. Visitor Center Crunch Time! Just A Few Dollars More Needed - (Vol. 25, No. 2 - Summer 2005) The pace of construction on the Visitor Center has picked up considerably over the past few weeks, as the museum and its mostly-volunteer workforce make a final push toward the goal of a summer opening. Contractor Tom Brown has been generously volunteering his supervisory skills throughout much of the project, but especially so in recent weeks. Current efforts are focusing on electrical work, installation of the remaining gable window, application of cedar shingles in the gables to match Goleta Depot, and the exterior trim. Insulation, drywall and exterior siding are next. This also marks the final fundraising push for the project. Less than $10,000 is needed to open the Visitor Center and begin its service to the public. About $15,000 will complete the project. Please help us get “Over The Top” with your tax-deductible gift to the Building Fund. Hop Aboard “Easter Bunny Express” On March 26 - (Vol. 25, No. 1 - Spring 2005) What’s the best day for a family visit to the railroad museum? Many folks in the know won’t hesitate with their answer: It’s the Easter Bunny Express. Thank You for Supporting Super Saturday IX - (Vol. 25, No. 1 - Spring 2005) Trains ran at or near capacity all afternoon on Feb. 5, during the 9th Annual Super Saturday! The event was made possible by the generous support of a record 19 event sponsors. They included Mark Carr, D.D.S.; Circle of Friends Children's Center; Michael J. Gartzke, CPA; Grace Baptist Church; Bartlett Tree Experts; Bob Locke; Montessori Center School; D & B Communications; Ramada Limited; Mike and Gail Pearl, Pitts & Bachmann Realtors; Penfield & Smith; Dick and Wendy Shelton; RP Printing; Gold's Gym; Peter Tiersma; Dal Pozzo Tire Corp., Goleta; Kids' Club; State Farm Insurance - Ed Attlesey & Tammy Dobrotin, Agents; and the Goleta Valley Voice. The museum’s 24th annual Spring Fundraiser will be held Saturday, May 21. The event will include unlimited free miniature train and handcar rides for all museum visitors. Welcome New Members - (Vol. 25, No. 1 - Spring 2005) The Woman's Service Club of Goleta is a new Milepost 100 member. Kathy Chalfant is a new member and a new addition to the museum’s Coast Starlight Interpretive Program. Shelton To Head Museum Trustees; Hanna Joins Board - (Vol. 25, No. 1 - Spring 2005) The Board of Trustees has elected Richard Shelton as its president for 2005. Dick Shelton moved here from Pennsylvania in the summer of 1987 to become Superintendent of the Goleta Union School District. He was accompanied by his wife, Wendy, and their son and daughter, Jeffrey and Leslie. Volunteer News: Museum Gearing Up For Expanded Rail Program To Oakland; Volunteers Needed - (Vol. 25, No. 1 - Spring 2005) Amtrak has asked the museum to begin the much-anticipated expanded version of its interpretive program aboard the Coast Starlight effective May 30. The expanded program is based around a two-day roundtrip to Oakland. During each Coast Starlight trip, teams of two museum volunteer guides will interact with passengers and use the train’s public-address system to describe local history, points of interest, natural history, and things to do along the railroad route. The Oakland program is a companion to the museum’s Santa Barbara-to-San Luis Obispo program, which has been in operation since 1998. Both are offered in cooperation with the Trails & Rails program of the National Park Service. Preview the Electronic Information Center March 26 - (Vol. 25, No. 1 - Spring 2005) On March 26, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., during the Easter Bunny Express event, there will be a special preview of the electronic kiosk, or “Information Station,” that will become a permanent feature of the new Visitor Center. Funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), with additional support from Kodak and Microsoft, among others, the computer-based project combines a number of educational and other functions, including a guest book for visitors, a virtual library for researchers, and orientation information for first-time museum guests. When completed, it will contain a wealth of information about Goleta Depot, local history, regional railroad history, the Southern Pacific Co., and trains and railroading in general. It already contains copies of rare photographs, maps and documents from the museum collections, which any kiosk users can view. Among its many holdings is a complete, searchable copy of all 24 volumes of the Depot Dispatch newsletter, going back to 1981. Museum Director Gary Coombs, who has been spearheading the project, will be on hand during the March 26 preview to share the kiosk’s features and resources and answer questions. Visitor Center Progress - (Vol. 25, No. 1 - Spring 2005) Copyright © 2005 by Institute for American Research |
