By Railway Fan & Railway Staff
Three rail preservation veterans have launched a new podcast discussing the many challenges facing the industry.
The podcast Ahead of the Torch Run is hosted by Rob Davis, TJ Gaffney, and Kelly Lynch. It will feature in-depth interviews and roundtable discussions “aimed at creating a comprehensive resource to provide tactical advice and insight to the industry.” The first episode aired online in February.
Kelly Lynch, executive producer of the series, said: “We all know what's wrong with our industry, but the conversation about how to fix something is divisive.” Ta. “The pandemic has exposed deficiencies not just in our industry, but in our leadership and management. It is common to see failures pile up, but the truth is there is no Railroad Preservation 101. There are very few useful resources to study or observe outside of the aftermath of something harmful.”
“Ahead of the Torchlamp” was an online journal first created by Davis in 1992 to document the preservation industry. It recently became a Facebook group with over 8,000 members. While the group has been active, Gaffney said the podcast has provided a way to have a more organized conversation about railroad preservation.
“Social media and dedicated forums are great for in-the-moment action, but conversations can easily get buried and lost over time. There's no place to store this knowledge,” Gaffney said. Ta. “Our world is one where enthusiasts and professionals compete for the same results, but in vastly different ways and with little candid conversation. It makes evolution difficult. Many groups, collections and museums are at risk, and we hope this conversation will be a lighthouse for those navigating.”
For more information, please visit: tip of the torch.com Please subscribe at youtube.com/@aheadofthetorch.
