Boston Globe: Can a year-round arts scene and a model train museum save Western Mass?

From the same article:

“A Much bigger plan is forming in some weathered clapboard buildings in Western Gateway Heritage Park, at the southern edge of downtown North Adams. This is the current home base of the proposed Extreme Model Railroad and Contemporary Architecture Museum. When built, it will have 9 miles of track, a control room larger than the one at Penn Station, augmented reality, high-def theaters, and a 37-foot-tall scale model of the Empire State Building, among other architectural icons.”

Sounds cool. Would be neat to see. Also, Let’s Go Blues!

I think those forecast numbers are a bit optimistic.  John

Save it from what?  Godzilla?  Termites?  Drought?  Asteroids?

"Save it from what?  Godzilla?  Termites?  Drought?  Asteroids?"

I assume from economic decline, which is a problem in many rural and semi-rural areas far away from cities of any size. 

But you knew that .

This is a lovely area but with little reason for anyone to live and work there compared with a century ago.  The drivers of economic activity in most non-urban areas are health care and education, which obviously cannot maintain a thriving economy alone, except by educational institutions in small towns (Williamstown, MA and Brunswick, ME are good examples in New England). 

One needs industries beyond that,  or tourism to create enough jobs so that emigration out of the area isn't a major problem.  Hope they succeed.  It would be a fun place to visit and would complement the summer musical activity in northwest Massachusetts. 

That will be a great destination when I'm out on the motorcycle, something to look forward to.

North Adams, Massachusetts (western Massachusetts) is a drop off point on the Appalachian Trail.  There are a fair amount of through hikers, and section hikers.  Most traffic is from the south, traveling to Katahdin Maine, the northern end of the trail.  Most hikers can do 5 to 7 days, before they need to restock supplies, North Adams, Mass is one of those restock/rest areas.  From there the trail enters Vermont, to New Hampshire, then Maine.  

PRR Bruce and Mike,

It looks like a beautiful area and it’s great to know it’s on the Appalachian trail. 

Even a casual visitor to the trail post would be likely to visit a spectacle with a 37 ft Empire State Building and 9 miles of track!

If they need a train museum to save them then its already to late.

Agree with Rattler21 but would alter his statement to say "I think those forecast numbers are wildly optimistic."

Search the archives. Information about this museum was posted and discussed in 2018 on this forum.