This is becoming one of the best threads I have followed in awhile next to the WP&Y cars.
I agree with all the comments and for one would love to see the cars in marron with Gold trimings. Maybe that is where the effort should lie. But draw the public interest in there, which will draw the interest, which will draw the riders. To me, nothing beats authentic railroading...but...and this is where I put my money out for six years before I lost out to politics. I ran a small railroad that had a theme and established recognition. Granted mine was on a small scale. But I attracted people from all over the world and had recognition as "Santa's train". I made every effort to make the passenger number one. And the ride something they enjoyed and participated in, which I beleive is what the C&TS is doing. The WP&Y makes their passengers a part of history going over the "Chilkoot Trail", maybe with a little bit of historic lineiancy, but they come away well served. (I beleive the C&TS is striving for the same thing.) They have some great marketing stradigies, and a tourist landslide that will be a little harder for the CT&S to duplicate. But they have drawn the public interest, and I watched them do it with eight loaded trains a day.
The C&TS is not D&S little brother, they are a railroad all their own and they need to make there identity stand. I just think that any and all publicity can help. Please forgive if you beleive I am not for authenticity. I am, but you also have to survive and meet the bottom line and beyond.
You are exploring idea's and are making progress. That is praiseworthy.
Art