Successful Steam Excursion on the C&TSRR?????

How do you have a successful Steam Excursion on the C&TSRR
I have had some E-mails asking me that question since Chama Steam was canceled.
Here is my GUESS if I was to get involved in trying to start one.
1st and most important is go to the bathroom close the door and have a long talk with the DUMMY in the mirror about trying something I know nothing about.
Start working on it no later than the 1st of November for the next years
fall colors excursion.
Pay the railroad in full in January with the understanding they will
help market the paid in full excursion.
Bring in people that know a hell of a lot more than I do about numerous
things involved in running a excursion. Required people: Marketing,
organizing, bookkeeping, Somebody that understands what type of train
needs to be made up for the trip. Make sure the photo run buys are no
where near the highway. I also believe you need two or three days of
activities to make the long trip to Chama worth while. Make sure you
have merchandise for the excursion that is included in the price so your
customers have some nice things available to take home with them. This
merchandise would not be for sale. Make a deal with Stephen at Osier for
a special meals for your customers and not at the time the regular
riders are there. Have one night set up for night shots, this can be
done in the yard limits, maybe up by the bridge or etc. The night of the
dinner have raffles of some of the items used on the trip with the money
going to the railroad for engine restoration. An example: Buy the
railroad a new shovel and auction off the shovel used on the trip.
Supply the crew with two new caps with the trips logo on the cap, one
cap to wear during the trip and this cap will go to the auction the
other they get to keep. Make the trip a package so everything is covered
with the price of the excursion.
You get people like Craft & West involved and listen to their advice. They have been there and did it sucessfully.
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