Sauerteig Wrote:
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> No, actually my reasoning is sound, and I have
> submitted authority discussing how false analogies
> are a logical fallacy--something that you have
> not. Do tell, which of these distinctions do you
> disagree with:
>
> --the Grand Canyon is one of the most sought after
> sight-seeing destinations ON THE CONTINENT, and
> that without the Grand Canyon train. Not so with
> Durango region and San Juan mountains. People come
> all over the country and the planet to see the
> grand canyon without the train. Precisely the
> inverse is true with Durango and Silverton and
> especially the Cumbres and Toltec. People come
> from all over the country and the globe to ride
> the train as it exists.
>
> -- Silverton line one of two remaining vestiges of
> a storied, much romanticized narrow gauge line,
> replete with historic motive power that existed on
> the D&RG at the time. Not true with the Grand
> Canyon railroad.
>
> -- Both of these lines are historic landmarks.
> Another fundamental distinction with both the
> Durango and Silverton and Cumbres and Toltec that
> separates it from the Grand Canyon railroad..
>
> Since you find my logic "faulty" explain to me
> how, for example, the gentleman from London,
> England, would come out to Chama to see diesels
> every year. Not happening. Do you really think
> people are coming out from Austrialia, Germany,
> the United Kingdom, let alone Boston or New York,
> to ride diesels?
>
> Finally, of course, the private railroad is
> privately owned. That does not change the fact
> that it is something many people care about.
> Beyond that, it does not change the fact that it
> is a national landmark. This should create
> restrictions on the degree to which they can
> curtail steam engine service.
>
> I really do not understand what is wrong with
> detractors like you. There are a lot of people
> against the train, and apparently they have been
> grumbling a while. It is incumbent on each and
> every one of us who loves these steam engines to
> speak up so that these cretins are not given any
> credence whatsoever. All it requires is for us to
> say and do nothing, and the dialogue then becomes
> about running the train on "solar," "natural gas"
> or even tearing up the line to create a hiking
> trail. Just read the letters to editors and
> comments on Durango Herald and Durango Telegraph
> if you do not believe me that people are seriously
> submitting these asinine, idiotic deas. And yes,
> in my view they are cretins, wholly contemptible
> people who are not worthy of my good will or
> civility, and should not be worthy of anyone's
> good will or civility who loves and supports this
> train.
>
> My fear is that by even conceding with two
> diesels, by giving these people an inch, they are
> then going to take a mile.
What I can say is that steam on the D&SNG is not going away, period. There have been diesels on the property for well over a decade and they serve a purpose for daily operations. However, coal fired steam is the backbone of the experience and that is not going away. Will there be an oil burning steamer come next May, yes but it will be steam that is used for the excursions 99% of the time. Diesels will continue to be used in contingency periods as they have for years. The D&SNG knows why people come ride, steam first scenery and ride experience second. Not a mystery but fact. Nuff said, but I can appreciate your enthusiasm for the RR and NG steam.
William
aka drgwk37