W.W.&F. Discussion Forum

WW&F Railway Museum Discussion => Museum Discussion => Topic started by: Ed Lecuyer on April 13, 2020, 06:00:37 PM

Title: OPPORTUNITY IN CRISIS – CLOSED UNTIL AUGUST 8, 2020
Post by: Ed Lecuyer on April 13, 2020, 06:00:37 PM
(http://wwfry.org/pics/crisis.png)

The Chinese characters for “crisis” consist of “danger” and “opportunity”. While somewhat optimistic, the truth is that in the midst of a dangerous crisis, opportunities can arise. The WW&F is seizing the current crisis to move forward as a stronger organization.

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Museum has suspended public train rides, including special events, until a grand-reopening can occur on our “Annual Picnic”, August 8, 2020.

While this is disappointing, we thought it would be most beneficial to our volunteers, partners, and visitors to make this decision now so that plans can be made as the pandemic subsides and our lives return to normal.

This decision has an immediate effect on the following events and activities, some of which have been planned for several months:

Those who received vouchers for free train rides in 2020 should be aware that these tickets are no longer redeemable until after August 8, 2020. Instead, we will honor them as best as we can during the remainder of the 2020 operating season.

Moreover, the operating schedule for Fall 2020 will not include scheduled train service on most Sundays. Instead, we are hoping that we can offer a full slate of train rides and special events, including concerts, presentations, festivals, pumpkin trains, Christmas Tree trains, and (of course, the ever-popular) Victorian Christmas. These details are still being developed and will be announced when finalized.

The opportunity here is that while the rails lay dormant, our volunteers are free to work (as appropriate) on the backlog of maintenance tasks that were scheduled for this Spring, but curtailed due to the pandemic. This also will allow (we hope) new faces to join our volunteer corps on scheduled work days (weekends and week days) through to our grand re-opening on 8/8/2020. Again, these dates and tasks will be announced as soon as they are developed (and social distancing rules are relaxed.)

The danger in this decision comes in the loss of ticket sales that was anticipated from April through July. We are mitigating this in a number of ways, including: federal assistance, a $10,000 loan from one of our anonymous members, and increased giving by those who are able to do so. We’ll be publishing more ways everyone can help out (including some that cost nothing) in the coming weeks.

Thanks again for your support of the WW&F. We will steam again. The narrow gauge will echo through the Sheepscot Valley once more. And the railroad of Big Dreams and Little Wheels will soldier on. Until then, be safe.
Title: Re: OPPORTUNITY IN CRISIS – CLOSED UNTIL AUGUST 8, 2020
Post by: Ed Lecuyer on April 13, 2020, 07:15:16 PM
To clarify - the museum currently remains closed to all volunteers. The only exception are those who do not violate the state's currently-enacted "stay-at-home" order (i.e. live within walking distance) and are participating in permitted "essential" tasks (construction, maintenance), while engaging in "social distancing". This policy will be revisited as the state-enacted restrictions are lifted.
Title: Re: OPPORTUNITY IN CRISIS – CLOSED UNTIL AUGUST 8, 2020
Post by: Ed Lecuyer on April 13, 2020, 07:16:02 PM
Also, a special thank you to Emily Lecuyer for creating the graphic with the correct Chinese characters for "crisis."
Title: Re: OPPORTUNITY IN CRISIS – CLOSED UNTIL AUGUST 8, 2020
Post by: Mike Fox on April 13, 2020, 08:33:57 PM
Thanks Ed
Title: Re: OPPORTUNITY IN CRISIS – CLOSED UNTIL AUGUST 8, 2020
Post by: Bill Baskerville on April 13, 2020, 09:20:01 PM
Thanks Ed and Emily.  Ed for the synopsis of the way forward and Emily for the interesting graphics and creative translation.
Title: Re: OPPORTUNITY IN CRISIS – CLOSED UNTIL AUGUST 8, 2020
Post by: Ed Lecuyer on April 14, 2020, 05:16:36 PM
[Moderator's Note]
This thread is in regards to public services (train rides, etc.) offered by the WW&F.

For a discussion on the impact on COVID-19 and volunteer activities, please see:
http://forum.wwfry.org/index.php/topic,3637.0.html (http://forum.wwfry.org/index.php/topic,3637.0.html)
Title: Re: OPPORTUNITY IN CRISIS – CLOSED UNTIL AUGUST 8, 2020
Post by: Ed Lecuyer on April 16, 2020, 07:00:57 PM
The WW&F's response to the Coronavirus was featured in this article in Railfan and Railroad:
http://railfan.com/as-shutdowns-drag-on-tourist-railroads-look-at-an-uncertain-future/ (http://railfan.com/as-shutdowns-drag-on-tourist-railroads-look-at-an-uncertain-future/)
Title: Re: OPPORTUNITY IN CRISIS – CLOSED UNTIL AUGUST 8, 2020
Post by: James Patten on May 03, 2020, 10:05:34 AM
The May/June newsletter will be out before the end of the month.  I would encourage everyone who has Internet access to consider receiving your newsletter electronically.  This way we save on postage, and if enough members get it this way we can print fewer newsletters.  Upcoming newsletters will print in black & white to save money, but the electronic version will be full color.

Please email membership@wwfry.org to communicate your electronic preference to Mike.
Title: Re: OPPORTUNITY IN CRISIS – CLOSED UNTIL AUGUST 8, 2020
Post by: Ed Lecuyer on May 05, 2020, 05:43:21 PM
[Moderators Note]
A discussion regarding searching and accessing back issues of the Newsletter was split from this topic and moved to the "Museum Members Only" section of the forum.

If you are a museum member, and need access to this section, please email ed_lecuyer(at)wwfry.org.

If you are not a museum member - please join us! It's only $35/yr and can be ordered on our Gift Shop web page: https://giftshop.wwfry.org/product/membership/151  (https://giftshop.wwfry.org/product/membership/151)