From a passion that began with her father, 23-year-old Maddie Schaaf has built a career in railway preservation. As the marketing and membership manager for the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, she focuses on making the mission statement relevant to both older and younger audiences through digital and traditional promotions and storytelling.
How did you get involved in rail preservation?
Maddie Schaaf: I got involved, like many other rail fans, through my dad. For most of my childhood, my brother and I would tag along to all the Colorado rail yards, we would go to Rocky Mountain Railroad Club meetings, and, of course, we would visit the museums. So, whether it was riding the Georgetown Loop, taking Amtrak up to Glenwood Springs or just stopping on the side of the road to take a picture of a parked train, that was the inspiration for it all.
Then in college, I actually worked with both the Colorado Railroad Museum and Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, and supported their social media and public relations efforts. So that really propelled me to where I am today.
As a young preservationist, what have you found to be the most challenging aspects in the industry?
Maddie Schaaf: I think for me one of the most challenging aspects has definitely been being taken seriously. Both as a young person and a woman, there are definitely a lot of people in the industry who have decades more experience than I do, and it’s kind of easier for them to just brush off some of my ideas. It’s a balancing act of trying to encourage new ways of thinking while also respecting the traditions and the history that we’ve got going on here.
Then there’s definitely still the mindset of “we’ve done things this way for so long, so we’re gonna keep doing it that way.” I’m trying to make sure that all of that is taken into consideration, especially with our social media, because we do have two different audiences: the older and younger family-type audiences. You want to engage them both while respecting the history, but also trying to have a new spin on things to engage the younger audiences.
What’s been the most rewarding for you so far?
Maddie Schaaf: Honestly, just getting to see the amazing community that we’ve built here. We have many wonderful volunteers, and they are so passionate. They spend so much of their free time here working on the equipment and teaching anybody and everybody, from young to old, and anywhere in between about the history of railroading.
It’s so special and magical to see, especially with the kids. It’s so cool to see their eyes light up when they put two and two together, learn something new, or even when they see the steam locomotives running. That’s really where the future of rail preservation is in passing the torch on to the next generation.
Where do you see rail preservation as it is today and what do you hope it’ll become for the future?
Maddie Schaaf: I think it’s in an exciting place right now. There’s a growing awareness of the importance of rail preservation and not just preserving the equipment, but also the stories of the people and the communities that have really shaped the railroads. At the Colorado Railroad Museum, we’ve been working hard to highlight the more human side of railroad history in an effort to connect with more people and a broader audience, aside from just those who are fascinated by the mechanical side of things.
Looking towards the future, I think that I would love to see more institutions continue to evolve in creative and engaging ways. We’re so lucky to get to live it in a day and age where we have social media and the internet, and digital storytelling gives us the tools to reach wider audiences than we ever have before. And I think that the more that we’re able to share these stories broadly, the more people we can inspire to get involved in meaningful ways. That’s where the future of preservation is by welcoming more people and getting them involved and interested, and understanding the relevance of railroad history and how it still matters today.
What advice would you give for any young person looking to get involved in the industry?
Maddie Schaaf: There are so many railroad institutions across the country, like ours, that are always looking for volunteers, whether it’s in the operation or interpretation side. We’re always looking for help, and I know that we at the Colorado Railroad Museum are not the only ones. I think it’s about finding your niche and whatever way you can help and support. Just get out there, make those connections, and become a part of this really amazing community.
