Alberta Pioneer Railway Association (APRA) members contribute to the operation and maintenance of the museum facilities and collection. If you would like to assist with any of the jobs listed below, please join the Association. We would welcome your help. Please contact us to find out how to get involved.

Volunteer Contribution List 2009-10

This list is a guide to the activities of the Alberta Railway Museum. Please understand that you are not expected to put in many hours of time.

It is important that the time you spend is meaningful to you and that it gets the job done. The museum requires a great deal of work. If individuals do what they do best, then the volume of work to be done by any one person is reduced but everyone feels the satisfaction. Your efforts, whether for a specific project or as a person who is supporting the work of others, are essential if the Alberta Railway Museum is to become a destination for our citizens to enjoy.

Motive Power

- The Museum uses four vintage diesel locomotives, and one vintage steam locomotive. Regular maintenance is necessary. Training programs are available for members who wish to learn how to care for and operate locomotives.
- The safe operation of our trains depends on volunteers who are trained in the operating rules of the museum, and who practice safe procedures when cars and engines are moving. Training courses are available for anyone who is interested in learning how the trains run.

Car Department/ Restoration

- There is bodywork to be done on some of the steel cars and engine bodies: cut and weld, patching, sanding, priming and painting.
- There is always some woodwork to be done - building and repairing windows on the passenger cars, repairing the woodwork inside the passenger cars, and building cabinets, shelves and counters for work areas in the museum buildings
- Some of our boxcars and passenger cars could benefit from roof repairs and some flashing around the edges of roofs. Some of our buildings could benefit from the same treatment.

Electrical Issues

- There is a constant need to upgrade the lighting, install new power outlets, and meet the applicable building codes. Electrical tools, cords, and wiring must be checked regularly before they become hazards.
- In order to make the most of displays; it is necessary to have electricity to all the cars that are on the display route.

Mechanical Opportunities

- One of the most essential pieces of equipment around the grounds is the backhoe. It needs regular maintenance, as well as competent trained operators who can use the hoe safely.
- We have several track motorcars that require mechanical work from time to time. They could all use a tune up and regular preventive maintenance. If there are no manuals for the cars, then we will need to write down a checklist of things that need to be done regularly - not only for the use of those who run the cars, but also for those who wish to learn how.
- Two trucks are part of the collection: one is a 1959 International Express truck. The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) has restored the engine but it needs body work and painting. The other is a 1942 Canadian Army Truck. It needs mechanical work to repair the brakes, install new fuel lines and re-install the engine, which has been restored by NAIT
- We require the expert assistance of welders. Steel cars have been bent or damaged; pipes have to be cut and straightened, rail needs cutting, “cut and weld” is necessary on steel passenger car bodies and locomotive bodies. These are all things that face us in our efforts to get the collection on its way to preservation and restoration.

Buildings

- Our buildings require repairs; wood boxcars need reconstruction and rebuilding; repair and installation of doors, windows and siding. The idea is to get all the collection that we plan to keep into the very best shape possible. Weather is our greatest enemy so until we get a building built there will always be a need for preservation and repair, especially for those cars that came to us in bad shape.
- We will soon need to have at least a shed roof over the cars that we have repaired - so your help will be greatly appreciated.
- We will welcome the volunteer contribution of civil engineers who are interested in the design and development of buildings and grounds - installation of natural gas, a sewer and water system, appropriate use of our well, and water drainage.
- Our long-range plans include construction of new buildings - both for protecting the collection and as an interpretive center. Plans, front and side elevations and specifications will allow us to approach various organizations for donations and assistance which could mark the beginning of a new era in the Museum’s history.

Museum Archives

- The Alberta Railway Museum Archives are at the Provincial Archives of Alberta, 8555 Roper Road in Edmonton. Here are stored and sorted all the collected drawings, maps, stencils, articles, books and associated ephemera, which make up our archives. Volunteers currently handle the project, but more help will be needed to complete the massive job of cataloguing the collection. It is being organized into categories for entry on a computer database. Assistance for a few hours a week would greatly help in this very important area of the museum’s responsibility.
- We wish to make our archive collection available to interested individuals who wish to make use of the books and periodicals that we have for their own research. Assistance would be in the form of cataloging, loan policies, restrictions on access and other facets of professional library services.

Public Relations

- There are opportunities for us to offer services for some visitors who bring small children to the museum. The development of an area where children may safely play is an important part of our planning.
- Although there is not much opportunity to hold social activities, we need to have someone to arrange for the occasional social event for members. An activity planned with the Edmonton Radial Railway Society, the Canadian Northern Society, Rocky Mountain Rail Society and other museum groups could help us share our experiences and skills in an informal way.
- Getting folks to help at the museum is often just a matter of phoning to let them know that there is something going on. We have a list of members and their telephone numbers. It would take a few minutes for a telephone committee to get the word out to all members of an important event that will happen before the next newsletter is printed. This is something for anyone who has some time but does not get to the museum easily.
- As time goes on, we are more dependent on public service announcements on radio and cable TV to advertise our activities.
- We have a positive and interactive relationship with CN, its employees, rail veterans, service clubs, other volunteer organizations, rail preservation societies, and the museum community. We have something to offer – an attraction that they may use. They have something to offer in return – their insight, comments and opinions that will help us improve. They may also become a source of help: volunteers, joint fund raising, and consulting services.

General Maintenance/ Grounds

- Cleaning, dusting, and sweeping are essential to the appearance of the Museum. Most of our displays are outside and the cars need constant attention. The floors, windows, and displays in the station are always in need of care. If visitors are to return to the museum regularly, we must make the museum a pleasant and inviting place to visit.
- For individuals who feel that they have no specific skills to offer the museum, there are always jobs which show up as other people are working - moving displays, cutting grass, cleaning the display cars, sweeping the platform, cleaning windows, painting the trim on buildings.
- Many projects require pickup and delivery of supplies, and some members need to have a ride to the Museum. This is an important role that could be played by someone who would like to help, but at first just doesn’t feel able to contribute other skills. We can pay mileage.
- The services of trades-people who are interested in donating their skills will reward us many times over in conservation of paint and other supplies. Training in the best techniques will be valuable as we continue to keep our collection in top shape.
- A characteristic of professional museum management is the presentation of the grounds and how they interpret the collection. We must control the growth of weeds and undesirable plants while taking advantage of the natural characteristics of the property.
- It is time to look seriously at the border of the pond and the growth there- the poplars are dying so we need advice on putting in some new trees. Perhaps a path along the back of the tracks could help us concentrate on improving the overall appearance of that part of the grounds.

Interpretation

- There are many railway videos, both entertaining and educational, that could be shown if we had someone who could set up the equipment, run the videos, answer questions at the end, and arrange for either weekly or daily presentations. This activity could take place in one of the baggage cars, a coach, or even one of the work cars. The secret is to find someone who will take it on. It will not require many hours, but will require someone to organize a group of people who will dedicate some time to making it happen.
- Some of our artifacts are large and easily displayed, but many more are small, unique to the railways and require proper display. Museum cases are available but they have not been fully used and therefore we have items that would interest visitors, but nowhere to show them off. Existing displays are always in need of freshening up.
- We aim to supplement our interpretation and tour guide programs with displays that are done with professional flair and an eye for getting across a message about a topic, not just a bunch of “things” together in a case.
- Our displays have been greatly improved through the services of a competent sign maker. Nothing lowers the value of an artifact more than a clumsily scrawled card laid next to it. Sign making contributes to the atmosphere of the museum as greatly as anything in the collection.
- We are dedicated to representing the actual railway experience: not just the static displays or operating the trains, but the presence of appropriately attired volunteers and staff. This makes it possible for visitors to easily identify guides and members so that the visitors can ask questions or otherwise get some assistance.
- Many times, there are visitors who would like to have a place for their children to play. Playing and learning go together, so we could develop a Railway Park playground. Learning from the school module and setting up switches that can be operated; showing the way rails are attached to ties; demonstrating signals and for older children there are railway games on computer. This area could become a vital part of our school/preschool/after school programs.
- The visitors who are seeing railway preservation for the first time are also looking for a way to understand what they are seeing. Many visitors are very knowledgeable about railways in general, or railways that are in their area of interest, but the Alberta Railway Museum, with its specific mission to interpret the Canadian National Railways and the Northern Alberta Railways, has a duty to get a clear and specific message across to our audience.
- The basics of a school interpretive program have been developed and can form the core of a more general approach.
- We have two significant cars on site, which are prime candidates for a unique display - a stock car and a refrigerator car. Put together they represent the development of railway transportation for the meat packing industry. With the cooperation of Burns Foods, for example, we could develop an interpretive display for schools to demonstrate a part of the curriculum on transportation. It would also represent the continuous efforts of industry and the railways to work together to meet the needs of Albertans and Canadians.

Fund Raising/ Finances

- As the museum develops, there are many opportunities to seek funding. One way to get attention from potential funders is by creating a package that describes the Museum’s long range and short range plans. Accompanying this written material with drawings and artist’s renderings of the proposed buildings will help get the support of funding agencies. Members will also greatly benefit from the drawings because they will see what the Museum could look like in the future.
- Individuals who are interested in prospecting for money will have lots of challenge to help suppliers and donors understand what THEY will get from their donation to the Museum.
- Funds are always required for our regular maintenance activities: painting, repairs, project supplies such as paint thinner, rollers, brushes, nails, small tools and electrical parts as well as money for repair of tools, gasoline for weed-eaters and motor cars and plants and flowers. Most of these funds come from admissions, donations by interested individuals, raffles and casinos. Casinos are being licensed less often now so we are challenged to be more innovative in raising funds in other ways. No donation is too small, whether in cash, supplies or equipment, provided it is what we need to do the job we are trying to do. That is the reason for the focus on one project as a time- if all the funds we have are focused on one job, then the chances of getting it done are increased. Lack of focus means lack of completion because there is often not enough money to complete two jobs at once. We must not waste money or supplies. Waste means a lost opportunity to get something done.
- Donations in kind are also welcome such as a donation of gravel, lumber, grease and oil or other consumable supplies.
- The steam engine will burn about $450 worth of crude oil a day; the diesels will burn about 5 gallons of diesel fuel per hour. We are constantly looking for a supply of cheap oil that will not only meet the ‘burning need’ of 1392, but also cost us very little.
- We use nearly 5000 gallons of water on a long weekend. If we buy that water, it costs us about $500. If we could find a way to treat our well water economically, we could save money, especially if the water treatment were free.

SUMMARY:

The Alberta Railway Museum offers a unique cultural and heritage experience. Volunteers can help to make this an outstanding educational and entertainment experience for school tours, tourists, railway historians, and visitors from all walks of life.