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National Railway Historical SocietyRail camp

RailCamp Northwest debut

August 8, 2012August 29th, 2024
Twelve teens stand on the front platform of Weyerhaeuser #1 in the train shed. All are wearing blue baseball hats as part of RailCamp 2012.

Twelve RailCampers pose with locomotive 1 in the Train Shed.

August 2012 was the debut of the first-ever Northwest RailCamp.  Designed for youth, the intensive rail-oriented program was a week of operations, history, collections care, and fun.

A 2012 RailCamper uses a table saw in the CRW under the guidance of Dan C.

James uses a cutoff saw under the careful supervision of Dan C.

 

The Northwest Railway Museum (NRM), in partnership with the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS), hosted two days of RailCamp. Over the course of one week, campers enjoyed hands-on activities at several area rail hubs including the NRM, Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad, and Tacoma Rail. The twelve campers ranged in age from 14 to 19 years old and were from all over the United States. RailCamp is an established NRHS program, but this was the first ever Northwest camp. NRHS holds an annual camp at Steamtown in Scranton, PA and up until recently at the Nevada Northern in Ely, NV.

A 2012 RailCamper uses a drill press in the CRW to drill holes.

Melissa uses a drill press to prepare her own project – a wood bookshelf with a section of rail mounted on the end.

 

During their two days at NRM, campers participated in a variety of hands-on activities including maintenance of way, running trades, rehabilitation, and a special project completed in the Museum’s shop. Campers got to throw switches, hook and unhook air hoses, help perform brake tests, couple and uncouple cars and run locomotive 4012.  They also switched out railroad ties, stripped old shellac in the chapel car Messenger of Peace as part of the rehabilitation of that National Register-listed object, and built a small shelf for CDs or books (their take-home project).

A 2012 RailCamper taps a hole drilled in a slice of rail in the CRW. Other RailCampers look on.

Jessica learns about tapping threads to accept a bolt.

The success of any program is partly dependent on the participants.  They were a pleasant group of enthusiastic young people with a strong interest in railroads, historic and contemporary. The Museum’s educator said, “It was especially rewarding to design programming for a motivated group of young people that already have a strong background in railway history. They eagerly tackled the tasks we set before them and it was a pleasure creating lifelong memories with them.”

A 2012 RailCamper drills a hole using a drill press in the CRW. Another RailCamper looks on.

John learns to use a drill press under the watchful eye of fellow camper Tyrus.

The Museum was also pleased with how the program directly ties to the mission – this is just the type of program that the Museum wants to offer.  NRHS was pleased with the outcome of the camp overall and it is everyone’s hope Northwest RailCamp will become an annual program.

No Comments

  • David says:
    August 8, 2012 at 7:51 am

    Spike, This Railcamp concept is great! I'd never heard of it before. We definitely need to get some young folks involved in railroading and preservation… Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

  • Leedo says:
    August 8, 2012 at 12:50 pm

    My kids (now 10 and 8) would LOVE to do this sometime in the future! Please keep us informed of your plans!

  • Rebecca says:
    August 8, 2012 at 6:42 pm

    And I know for a fact this is something your lead restoration man on the Chapel car would also LOVE to do.

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