Hi Dan,
A similar question was asked here a couple of years ago.
At one time, as recently as 5 years ago, we (the Galloping Goose Historical Society in Dolores) were looking to rebuild a portion of the RGS from Dolores to the old Glencoe town site – which is about half way between Dolores and Mancos in Lost Canon (Canyon). The reason for the project not getting off the ground is basically threefold – landowners, politics and money. The biggest one of those, as with many similar projects, is lack of funding! Although as I’ve always said, throw enough money at it and it will get done! Anybody have an extra million or so?
In 2009 we did donate a portion of our rail and tie inventory to help complete the Silverton Northern restoration project in Silverton. We were happy to do that because of our close ties with those folks! And we were promised lifetime free cab rides in the D&RGW #315 and some other cool stuff!
My favorite “scheme”, however, would be what I call the “Tank to Tank” project. That involves rebuilding the RGS line from the still existing Rico tank over Lizard Head Pass to the Trout Lake tank. However, big problems with that plan will also exist with landowners, the US Forrest Service, the EPA and the Colorado Department of Highways. But, again, throw enough money on the table and who knows?
Larry