Q. Who should join Western Maryland Survivors?
A. Any person who would like to see more done to preserve the
image and presence of the Western Maryland Railway.
Q. Why isn't Western Maryland Survivors a non-profit?
A. The activities we will engage in initially are not eligible
for non-profit status. The Bed and Breakfast will be operated
like any other motel and restaurant.
Q. When will Western Maryland Survivors apply for 501(c)3 status?
A. When we have the land and facilities to display our artifacts.
Q. Why don't you buy the property first so you can get non-profit status
from the beginning?
A. That's a good idea!!! Do you have a couple hundred thousand dollars
we can use to do that?
Q. What is a Charter Life Member?
A. A Charter Life Member is someone who wants to invest in the idea that
there needs to be a place to display and operate items from the
Western Maryland Railway. To honor the investment they make, Western
Maryland Survivors will certify them as such and they will never be
required to pay annual fees for membership. As it states, they will be
a Charter Member for Life.
Q. What if I cannot afford to pay $500.00? Are there other membership
options available?
A. Yes. You can enroll as a Life Member for a one time fee of $250. This
will entitle you to all of the benefits of a regular member without
recurring annual fees. However, you will not receive the one hour per
year in the Engineering Program. It will, however, be discounted, along
with the other services, such as the Bed and Breakfast.
You can also subscribe as a regular member and pay annual dues like
many other organizations. For $35.00 per year, you will receive frequent
progress updates, news bulletins, and a calendar featuring surviving
Western Maryland Railway locomotives, rail cars, and other items of
historic interest and value. Additionally, discounts available to other
members are equally available to regular members.
Q. Where will the business be located?
A. That depends entirely on where we can find suitable property, defined
as a location with access to live rail in an environment suitable
for people to go to relax and recreate. For sure, it will be located
in Western Maryland territory. There are several nice sites under
consideration.
Q. If I join as a Charter Life Member, what will the corporation
do with my money and the other funds raised with memberships?
A. All funds raised through Charter Life, Life Member and Regular
memberships will be used to purchase, move, and restore locomotives,
rolling stock, and other Western Maryland artifacts. It will also be
used for items to support the business; web site, stationary, postal
expenses, telephone, production costs for items we will be selling on
the web site, etc.
Q. How do you expect to establish an operating museum? If you disperse
the income from memberships to purchase items, where will you get the
funds to build a museum?
A. We are going to purchase property which will avail to us other ways
to earn money. The accumulated earnings from these enterprises will
be used to establish the business and hire the employees to operate.
There will be, for sure, questions arise that are not covered in this brief
document. If you have any concerns that you would like explained, please
submit them to us through the group at;
