Re: A third rail in Antonito

Do-able(?) Daydreams:

FRA considerations aside, IMHO IF there is going to be a San Juan mixed from Alamosa to arrive in time for its passengers to board the C&TS to Chama, it would save a lot of time & hassle if they could simply walk from the San Juan on the south side of the old depot to a C&TS extension on the north side of the old depot rather than having to board a bus (or two) at the old depot, unload from the bus(es) at the new depot and then board the C&TS.

There is no operational need for a third rail on all legs of the wye, as the C&TS trains could simply back down to the old depot around 9:00 am, load at about 9:10, move to the new depot at 9:25, load at the new depot at 9:40, and depart for Chama as usual at 10:00 am. In the evening, the eastbound C&TS could unload at the new depot before continuing on to connect with the San Juan at the old depot, and then run backwards to the current facilities.

The absolute minimum expense - avoiding even one three-rail switch at the northwest corner (and preserving "insularity"?) - would be to lay the narrow gauge parallel to the northwest side of the wye. Of course from a historical perspective, it would be great to add a third rail to the entire wye (which would have to include a 'draw' or 'swish') for an occasional demonstration.

- El Curmudgeono Viejo y Loco