Why do Railfan charters have to be so exclusive?

The first railfan charter trip I rode on the C&TS was organized by the Rocky Mt RR Club in 1988 or so. I don't remember how many riders were on the train, but probably over 80, maybe 130. The cost for the Chama-Big Horn trip was probably less than $100. For me, it was a great introduction to railfan events on the C&TS and as I remember, everyone had fun. We had a number of runbys; even double headed out of Chama, With the larger number of photographers, we didn't get into some of the tighter spots, but for me, given it was my first time, I thought it was a fantastic trip.

Granted, costs have gone up and operational requirements probably make a Big Horn round trip now out of the question (given Earl had about 3 minutes to get off the engine before his 12 hours ran out). but I'm wondering if the steep price of the more exclusive trips is keeping newer and younger railfans away. We had a bunch of freight cars, the stock car caboose, then several P-Boxes for the passengers. I got some good photos. Not as many as a trip that only has 25 participants, but there was more to it than just the photography.

I'd ride one of these trips again before I'd pay for the big buck trips. Or am I the only one anymore?

Bill Kepner