Frank writes...
You may have noticed that the IRM website now has a new roster page. This is something that's been in the works for some time. The new roster uses a WordPress plug-in compatible with the rest of the main website. It's not perfect, as it wasn't designed specifically for railway equipment rosters (who knew there wasn't vast and widespread demand for such a thing?), but it offers a lot of functionality and it's responsive, which means it adapts to whether you're on a smartphone or a desktop/laptop computer.
So now it's your turn! Your museum needs you to help ensure the information on the website roster is not only accurate, but as complete and informative as possible. The old roster listed basic specifications but the goal of the new roster is also to offer some interpretation as well: historical significance, unique traits, design intent, comparisons with other collection items, even fun facts.*
A few other random notes:
- A lot of equipment has very basic information. More info on a piece of equipment's service history or significance is helpful.
- IRM volunteers: the new roster offers the ability to offer an online donation option for any existing car fund. If your car/locomotive is actively under restoration and/or actively fundraising, and already has a fund, let me know if you'd like that fund added to its roster page so that people can donate online.
- Yes, I know the photos are poor resolution. There's nothing we can do about that right now but we're looking into it. If you have a roster shot of a car that better fits the square aspect ratio than what's on the site now, submissions are appreciated.
*My metric for whether something is a "fun fact" or just belongs in a car's history is whether my wife, who couldn't care less about trains, finds it interesting. Your mileage may vary.
5 comments:
Congratulations on getting the new roster installed on the IRM website. It is a vast improvement over what came before.
Please feel free to use any of my pictures that are on my Flickr account
https://www.flickr.com/photos/65681724@N04/albums/72157710492601326
Stephen Jones
Im based in the UK
The new roster is a great improvement. Thank you!!!
One thing missing is the total for each grouping which used to be on the old page. Question, what about the yellow speeder behind the depot, Dodge inspection car, and I'm sure other vehicles?
Bob Miller
Bob- I keep the printed rolling stock roster, which is the foundation for the new website roster. Here is the text of the inclusion/exclusion criteria from it:
- Artifacts are generally INCLUDED in the roster when they are intended for preservation or will be at IRM for the long term.
- Artifacts are generally EXCLUDED from the roster when they are acquired only for parts or scrapping.
- Railroad work equipment is generally INCLUDED in the roster if it has one or more of these characteristics: AAR couplers, standard train air brakes, intended to actuate automatic block signals.
- Track machinery, speeders, and similar equipment that do not have any of the preceding characteristics are generally EXCLUDED.
Now, this isn't to say that a list of them couldn't be compiled and added. You'll note the "structures" and "miscellaneous collections" categories, which are not in the printed rolling stock roster. It would just take someone doing it.
And, before anyone asks, we plan to publish a new 70th Anniversary edition of the printed roster this year. It hasn't been possible to reprint it before now, for various messy reasons including lack of volunteer time, but this year there should be a new roster.
R. W. Schauer
The "NAME" of the equipment is in light blue. I find it a bit too light for easy reading.
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