We Want a Feline

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

I am glad we don't have a shop cat.
Jeff S.

It wouldn't be so bad.  Many of us miss having Harry's cat Buttercup around the shop, she was friendly and kept the place mouse free.  She was a WW&F volunteer for 16 years starting when she was a kitten.  Harry used to put her in his coat pocket when he walked down the Cross Road because she didn't like the sound of water running through the old culvert from the fire pond.  She outgrew that fear later in life.

Railroads often had round house dogs or cats, they show up in old photos of the roundhouse or shop crew.

[Bob Holmes]

I agree with Start.  If the opportunity ever arises, a shop cat would be a wonderful addition...

[Wayne Laepple]

As long as it is properly spayed or neutered and someone is willing to make sure its fed and has veterinary care as needed.

[Paul Uhland]

The NMSL&RHS, proud restorers of almost-rebuilt ATSF 4-8-4 2926 in Abq, support a lively clowder of some 9 'site kitties' of every pattern and color, who are featured weekly as part of  updated photo work summaries similar to WW&F. One of the workers and his wife set out food bowls every morning. The cats have names such as Senator Grey, Tuxedo, Long Tail and Momma,  sleep wherever throughout the fenced work area. And the comments posted under the pics are usually understatedly hilarious.   

PS...Our Abq winters at ~5000' with much strong sunlight, though we have the usual 4 seasons, are probably not as severe as at WW&F, so AFAIK, no special sheltering is given. There are loads of places for cats to avoid  weather at the worksite.

[John McNamara]

Many of us miss having Harry's cat Buttercup around the shop, she was friendly and kept the place mouse free.  She was a WW&F volunteer for 16 years starting when she was a kitten.  Harry used to put her in his coat pocket when he walked down the Cross Road because she didn't like the sound of water running through the old culvert from the fire pond.  She outgrew that fear later in life.

Buttercup is buried on that mount of earth that is about 100 (?) south of the section house. Her marker has information painted in black lettering on an old shingle. One of my favorite recollections is her campaign for any or all of us to adopt her when Clarissa briefly had a house guest with a dog ("I don't like sharing a house with a dog; would any of you, especially cook John Bradbury, like a nice cat? I'm available.")

[Paul Uhland]

Little pets provide such a calming companionship to our lives.
My housemate older bro and I share digs with Squeaky Mom, Snippy, and Snuffy, all 'fixed', fulltime, professional cats who help keep us sane. 
 
Rest in peace, Buttercup.

[Jeff Schumaker]

I visited the Age of Steam roundhouse, as part of the AC&Y historical soc. tour, this past Saturday, and got to meet Felix, the roundhouse cat. He waited until the end of the tour to make an appearance. The tour guide related a story of when they had brought a locomotive up from somewhere in the South, a half dozen or so geckos escaped from its bowels. Felix spent an enjoyable week dispatching them.

As to getting a shop cat, I would think that a local shelter would have a cat that likes the outdoors available.

Jeff S.

[John McNamara]

Who is going to bell the cat?

[Ed Lecuyer]

[topic drift...]
I think the biggest drawback to having a shop cat would be in the winter. I think it would be unreasonable for even a hearty Maine cat to spend its winter nights outdoors. Then we would have to provide a place in the shop for it to stay, let it in/out, etc.

As much as I like cats (and I actually picked up a stray at Strasburg Railroad - and named it "Nelson" after F. Nelson Blount) I suspect that we should probably not actively seek such a pet for the museum.

[Jason M Lamontagne]

Someone would have to be personally responsible for the animals well being; anything less would be irresponsible.  Buttercup was Harry and Clarissa's cat.

In the right circumstances, it's possible and would be great.  Maybe one of the Rhine's cats could be introduced?

See ya
Jason

[Bernie Perch]

I think the Rhine's cats are spoiled by living in a super environment.  I don't think they would want to spend time in a dirty shop.

Bernie

[Roger Cole]

Only $130--what a bargain. 
http://www.hammacher.com/Product/82989?promo=search

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

I think the Rhine's cats are spoiled by living in a super environment.  I don't think they would want to spend time in a dirty shop.

Bernie

But, but ... wait, super environment?  You haven't seen the junk yard in my cellar!

[Bill Reidy]

I think the Rhine's cats are spoiled by living in a super environment.  I don't think they would want to spend time in a dirty shop.

Bernie

But, but ... wait, super environment?  You haven't seen the junk yard in my cellar!

To a cat, that's a super environment.  Our cat likes to hop into boxes.

[Keith Taylor]

Some folks are highly allergic to pets and cats are high up on the list. Also if  a visitor were scratched or bitten there would be a liability issue.
Everyone loves pets and we have one at our home. But I don't believe the museum is a proper environment for an animal. Plus a cat covered in grease and coal dust wouldn't be very attractive.

Keith