Planes, Trains and Automobiles

by Derik Price

Last week Wedgewood Resort hosted the Museums Alaska and Alaska Historical Society joint annual Conference.  It was a terrific event and brought people together from around the State to talk about the importance of historical preservation.  There were quite a number of presentation, classes and conference events packed into four days.

Willy Vinton and I were asked to participate as speakers in the Preservation Ethics and Industrial History Collections session.  Speaking as well - in order were -
Alaska Aviation Museum (Planes)
Friends of Tanana Valley Railroad (Trains)
FAAM - (Automobiles)

Willy and I spoke about the differences between preservation and restoration and the criteria we use to determine whether or not to alter, replace, run, or even clean, a particular automobile.

But I especially enjoyed hearing Dan of FTVRR go through the (near decade) long process of getting permission, through restoration and finally running, the 100 year old Engine No. 1 -

 Photo from the FTVRR website.

Special thanks to Scott Carrlee for inviting us to participate and I look for to attending future Conferences.