Hmmmm....
After reading the various accounts of how engine crews feel about their experiences over the Toltect Gorge Route at night (in this thread and in the "NG bug bite" thread), it's clear that I'm on the right track (an unintentional pun). If nothing else, it seems like it'd make a great company picnic trip/reward trip for all the local folk involved in the area -- the staff, Forest Service, Sheriff's office, Fire Departments, state legislators, county commissioner's, etc. Take 'em all on one big reward trip, feed 'em at Osier (sorry Sublette, not this time) and run on through to Antonito.
As far as the actual scenery, I've been up Sublette, Big Horn, and the wilderness area south of Osier with a backpack -- the views and moonlight are great.
What I haven't seen are the headlamp glow on the tank at Lava, the glowing eyes of startled Mule Deer, the moon-shadows cast across the tracks east of Sublette, the dotted gleam of light reflected from those ever-kinked rail joints near Mud Tunnel, and the rainbow halos cast by moonlight reflected off the steam expelled by a hardworking 90 year old locomotive.
The more I think about it, the more it seems like this is why the C&TS needs five or six working locos. Having a fifth to use on charters or scheduled night trips seems like it would make a big difference from a profit standpoint.
With five, you could keep a second unit in Antonito pretty much full time as a rescue engine or charter loco. Then we'd get to listen to customer reports on late night trips, instead of those blissful private moments of engine crews and rescue efforts.
Tom
P.S. $50K is way out of line... i'd think from Mr. Markoff's poetic comments, the crew would work for free, maybe even pay me for the thought. And, to be honest I'd go through a fireman training course and shovel coal for free just to get the chance to speak with "experience" on what a glorious night run through the Gorge is.
