Hi,
MOW work is good advertising - showing that care for the railroad (historic treasure) is being taken care of and is on-going.
The C&TS is better (in my opinion) than static museums. Something is different every time I visit. Additional MOW trains or charter freights (watching them being put together in the yard).
Static museums, to me, are
been there done that why go back? items - they seldom get me to return. The experience of the train ride is much more important.
I had a buddy in College who would not go to a concert because his opinion was that the only thing you went there for was the sound system and you could purchase a good home sound system for home. He never understood the experience. I've been to four events (twice to John Denver and twice to hear Gene Roddenbury talk). Gene had a wonderful way of looking at things in new ways. Few preconceptions when brainstorming. Not all lasted beyond trying to see if they might transform a workable idea.
I had a railfan buddy who was on an unplanned vacation. He rode the D&S and thought it should have been an hour or two long at most!
I like the California RR Museum's passenger car that is rigged to simulate a moving train.
I try to look at other people's points of view and try to figure out what might entice them to spend money or to return. Hence my idea (on another thread) about trying to use the old mainline and wye west of Chama Depot. Might not work, but worth exploring.
FWIW.
Doug vV