What are realistic attainable goals of the Friends of the SJE?
Realistically we will have a historical preservation study of the 100 odd miles between Durango and Chama. Is this bad? If it comes out that there is a very good possibility of making money on rebuilding the line, why not?
If the study comes out and says there is no way the Durango to Chama can work what next?
How about a historical preservation study of the entire RGS? How about the Silverton RR? How about Trout Creek Pass? What we might end up with is only historical studies of many sections of grade in Colorado. Is this bad?
What is what is wrong with expending effort on this when the effort would be lost because no use for it can be found for inside the Friends of the C&TS?
Again, I understand the long distance projects can be difficult. What about if you (friends of the C&TS, or Shank's Creede, or CRRM) have an issue with drainage somewhere? I have laid out subdivisions and industrial parks and understand drainage issues including retention ponds. I could ask Ed Lecuyer if he has a map and then see if Bill Malin could look at the site to answer questions I might have. Low and behold, you've harnessed some of this untapped resource.
To try to blame us for being divisive when we are trying to find a way to achieve the goal that we all want of helping preserve a part of the history of the Colorado narrow gauges does not seem right. We have different restrictions from those who can attend a work session and we are trying to meet the same ultimate goal you want. We all are just trying to achieve within the restrictions of our own lives.
I do not fault anyone at the Friends of the C&TS personally. The preservation work is fantastic. However do not beat on us when we try to preserve something and have found that the only way we can do it appears to be outside the Friends of the C&TS.
May God bless us one and all. We do want the same basic thing in the final analysis - help preserve something of the Colorado narrow gauges.
Doug
