The trips were followed by a number of seminars on various topics of interest. Among the ideas presented in seminars that might be of use to the Midwest Central are promoting the Railroad as a resource for film and video work, and starting a support foundation. There is a growing film and video industry in Iowa, and the Midwest Central is of course one of the few groups in the Midwest with narrow gauge, late 1800's equipment. Our main disadvantage is the lack of scenery along our route. There was some talk five or six years ago about hauling the Six to Nebraska for a shoot, the Two was featured in a commercial in the Seventies, and of course, the Quinn coach spent several years in California in the service of a television show.
Greater potential is evident in the support foundation idea.
Similar to the Old Thresher's foundation, this would be a non-profit organization devoted solely to developing an endowment fund for the Railroad. All donations would be kept and invested, with only the net interest earned being spent on restoration projects. In the twenty years since it was formed, the Old Threshers Foundation has accumulated nearly one million dollars in capital, allowing it to fund some fairly major improvements for Old Threshers and its museums. The current Restricted Fund serves a similar purpose by allowing donors to fund specific projects, but allows the principal to be spent directly on the project. The endowment fund, if formed, would retain the initial donations for reinvestment.