I'm 35. I started riding the narrow gauge when I was 9 because of my dad, whose parents took him on a ride on the Silverton in the '50s. I took a summer and worked for the D&S in the early '90s, so I have a soft spot for Durango. I was 26 when I found the original version of this forum, time sure flies.
Many feel that the D&S has sold its soul and became "Disneyland" but I don't feel this is the case, especially since Harper took over several years ago. Unfortunately the D&S suffers from the success generated by the D&RGW & Bradshaw. The D&RGW couldn't stop the success, and Bradshaw squeezed all he could out of it (4 Silverton trains, winter schedules, Animas River R.R.). In the meantime the side effect was an economic boom to Durango and exposure to all sorts of people who wished to make a summer home in the area, or find a way to gravy train on to the success of the R.R. Thus the unchecked growth in the region, especially Hermosa. I don't think at any time either R.R. wants to turn the experience to an amusement park, just a desire to do what it takes to get riders and exposure.
The C&T can't buy the exposure and notoriety the D&S gained during the rise of auto tourism in the '50s and '60s. And that is probably for the best, though it would be nice to see 100,000 people ride the train in a year.
I don't think it is necessary for the trains to become an amusment park to generate visitors. Though it is necessary for the new generation to get exposure to trains. Thomas the train is helpful in this regard. Say what you want, any way we can get children interested in the train provides motivation for parents to open wallets. We took a ride 2 years ago and hooked my 3 yr old neice, now it is all she talks about. Hopefully it will last.
