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what is the Narrow Gauge Preservation Foundation?

First established as the Narrow Gauge Trust in 2000, then incorporated as the Narrow Gauge Preservation Foundation in 2002, the Foundation is a non-profit public benefit corporation incorporated in the State of California. Its mission is to establish a museum of narrow gauge railroading and models, and to support preservation efforts where possible.

California State Railroad Museum expansionThe Foundations first priority is to establish a premier museum where the narrow gauge story can be told using models, pictures, artwork, and artifacts, in ways that will be meaningful both to enthusiasts and to the general public. Plans are moving forward to make this museum a partner in a significant expansion on the site of the California Railroad Museum at Sacramento, possibly as soon as 2007.

In order to provide a comprehensive museum experience and attract the maximum number of visitors, tentative plans call for the Narrow Gauge Museum to be co-located with the Howell Day Museum to be established by the National Model Railroad Association.

A secondary mission is to assist narrow gauge preservation efforts across North America. When resources are available, the Foundation evaluates the soundness and likelihood of success of such efforts, and channels donations to those that qualify.

The Foundation supports the efforts, past and current, of numerous existing museums and preservation organizations, and in no way seeks to compete with them. In fact the Foundation has made grants to several of these organizations to further their work of restoring irreplaceable equipment and structures. In establishing the Narrow Gauge Museum, the Foundation seeks to tell a different story in the different way.Colorado Railroad Museum

During its brief existence, the Foundation has made donations of over a half million dollars to narrow gauge preservation efforts. These include the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railway, the Colorado Railroad Museum, Friends of Engine 169, the Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge Railroad Foundation, and the Durango Railroad Historical Society.

To date, the Foundation has spent less than five percent of its funds on administrative costs.


© Copyright 2005, 2007 Narrow Gauge Preservation Foundation