1 Train Station Display Proposal
The Atherton Train Station Museum would incorporate the Train Station Building into the Town Center and create a new public space where visitors can stroll, sit and view displays that tell the story of Atherton’s history with the railroad and train station. The exhibits in the station will:
● Provide short, easily understood descriptions of the history of the train, the station building and the train’s impact on Atherton.
● Provide an interesting, creative display down the center of the station featuring 150 years of evolution of the station and trains.
● Offer a convenient, comfortable location for visitors to view the Atherton Train Video “Tracks of Change” that was produced for Atherton’s Centennial Celebration.
● Provide an outdoor display utilizing the existing schedule display case and outdoor sitting.
Display Areas
The Ad Hoc Train Station Subcommittee recommends, that the Council consider supporting a display that consists of 3 areas inside the station:
1) Free standing displays that tell the story of pre-train Atherton (Native Americans, settlers, the stagecoach days and the building of the SF and SJ Railroad in 1863); 2) Center display that features a train track with model trains that show the history and evolution of the trains, the station, and the riders over time; and 3) Video screen with seating that will show the “Tracks of Change” video.
There are additional wall spaces within the Station that can accommodate other mounted displays or memorabilia cases in the future.
2 Free Standing Displays
At the northern end of the building, is space for three freestanding 2D-displays.
One of the displays would focus on the Ohlone and the colonization up to the grant of Rancho de las Pulgas in 1795.
A second display would focus on the early peninsula wagon and stagecoach era and the impact of the gold rush.
A third display would focus on the launching of the railroad in 1863 and how it transformed the southern peninsula by bringing in many people, launching the cities and large estates and enabling the transportation of goods to San Francisco.
Center Model Train & Track Display
The center of the Museum would contain an encased model train track in the larger G model scale.
The cases would be divided into five (5) time periods starting from the beginning of the train to the close of the station in 2020.
At each station period there is proposed to be a model train engine of that time-period and a model of the train station as it appeared at that time, along with photos and other information and time-appropriate activities for each of those periods. There could be audio triggered by QR code for that station that could be accessed via the visitors iPhone that would play period music and tell the story of that time. 3 Contemplated Time Periods
1) The Flag Stop 1863-1912
The first stop in the display case would depict the first fifty years including a woodburner engine, Fair Oaks Flag Stop shelter, horse and buggy with person in period clothes. The audio would play period music and sounds and tell a brief overview of the time-period. The model wood burning engine could incorporate smoke and sounds.
2) The First Atherton Station:1912-1930
This stop in the display case would feature a Steam Engine, the first Atherton Train Station with 8 posts and terra cotta roof. The audio will describe that period and include the train’s use in the 1906 earthquake.
4 3) The Glamorous Period: 1930-1950
This stop in the display case would feature a Daylight Train, the Atherton station with 8 posts, fully enclosed by glass walls and glass doors, with a newspaper stand outside.
The audio would describe the period and include the role of the train in World War II. 4) The commuter era 1950- 1980
This stop in the display case would feature a Diesel Engine. The Atherton station expanded with 15-foot extensions on either side, taking its final shape, with a full parking lot. The model could bring to life the image of Dinkelspiel with a band and kids or depict the daily commuters. This is the busiest time for the Atherton train station in its history. The audio would feature music and a period description. 5 Between Station No. 4 and No. 5 will be transition audio that would tell the story of the birth of Silicon Valley in pictures and audio. It will cover the 1980-2000 period of limited station use as business changed focus from San Francisco to Silicon Valley. 5) Station Closing 2020
At this final stop in the display case, there could be a Cal train Electric Engine displayed. The model would show the Atherton station as it appeared when it was closed in December 2020. The people would have face masks marking the covid era and there would be a tesla in the parking lot. The audio would describe the period and final closing of the train station.
Video Display Area
A third section of the museum on the southern end of the building would be set up for visitors to sit or stand and watch the train video “Tracks of Change ''. This video will have a viewer-controlled start button or motion sensor. The historic, large 1910 benches are integrated into either end of the central display case such that viewers can use the bench and face the video screen. The other bench at the opposite end is also embedded into the display case to allow for reading of the 2D displays.
Exterior of the Station
Outside of the station museum is the historic clock which has been relocated to the front of the museum.
The existing Atherton Caltrain station sign could be retrofitted to say Atherton Train Station Museum.
6 The existing outdoor schedule display case has been renovated in the remodel. It can display historical image reproductions and information. It could be a permanent display or a changing display that is updated periodically to bring new things to the museum.
Content for Displays
Atherton residents and the public would be
invited to share and donate periodappropriate model trains, and historical photos and memorabilia.
The town has been offered the donation of
a Daylight model train by the Leuger family
which could be featured in the center case
as part of the glamor era display.
The Town could seek other model train
donations or buy the remaining 4 model
trains. The train station building models
will need to be constructed either from
scratch or from modified existing model
kits. While the models are being built (or if
there are insufficient funds to build the models) photos of the station as shown in this proposal could be utilized.
The Sacramento train museum has offered to long term loan any items they may have in storage and offered to allow the Town to reproduce any flat art they may have.
To create the historical content for the Train Video, the Town collaborated with the Atherton Heritage Association as well as the San Mateo Historical archive, the Menlo Park Historical Society, the Sacramento Rail Museum archives and various historians and video sources. The Atherton Heritage Association has historical photos of the train station and some limited memorabilia. These images can be selected and digitized to create other displays inside and outside of the station.
7 There is a plaque dedicated to Rosemary Maulbetsch that will be displayed on the exterior of the museum along with a historical building plaque.
At the 100-year Centennial Celebration, the Train Display Area gathered an email list of interested residents. If the Town wishes to pursue interested parties, those that signed up can be sent relevant communications. In addition, the Subcommittee has contacts with the local model train associations.
Building of the Displays
The 2D free standing displays and outdoor case can be commissioned to an outside agency to create. While the main display case is being created as part of the Train Station Renovation, the model trains and stations would need to be constructed. These can be commissioned to professional model builders or a committee of resident volunteers (similar to the model train exhibit in Menlo Park). The Subcommittee recommends that the Town commission the models to be built if the price is reasonable, otherwise at least initially use photos.
Maintenance of Museum
The museum would be an unattended, self-guided
experience. The doors would be opened and closed
automatically at pre-determined hours. The area is
loosely monitored by cameras to the Police
Department. The space would be cleaned by the
Town’s cleaning contractor. The Town’s existing
insurance covers the structure.
There are many successful local examples of
unattended mini museums. The public location
adjacent to the police station should deter
vandalism. The items of any value such as the model
trains and stations are under a glass case. If more
expensive items are donated, the Town will need to
consider security as well as climate control features,
such as UV window treatment and monitored
heating and humidity levels. As this time, it is
anticipated that there will only be reproductions and
no highly valuable memorabilia.
8 Next Steps and Decisions
1. The entirety of the allocated budget for the Train Museum was exhausted for renovations, so if the Council wishes to pursue outfitting the interior of the Museum, the council must address funding. The Town can allocate public funds, staff time and other resources; or, the Council could consider private sponsorships, funding, or turning over the museum to a non-profit.
2. Much of the model work would need to be commissioned or built by volunteers. How does the Council wish to proceed?
3. The Council could also seek residents to form a non-profit to manage the museum as well as its memorabilia. This could be done up front or later, after the Town commissions its completion. It is unknown if there is a resident group or interest.
4. The Town could seek out other potential grants from other sources – such as the National Model Train Association. This would require staff time and resources, unless led by an outside group.
5. What considerations should there be for operation? The assumption is that the museum would be unattended, self-guided. What budget should be attached to general maintenance?
Subcommittee Recommendation:
The Subcommittee recommends that the Council allocate $50,000 to create the content for the display cases and the center section, including the purchase of any necessary model trains. The Subcommittee believes that the Museum could be ready to receive visitors within 6 months of the contracting with design and development contractors.