So, imagination...hmm...gorgeously restored 1870s locomotive. That time period makes me think of William Henry Jackson's shot of a doubleheader on the high line...the famed one which was duplicated in an engraving.
If possible, arrange for some photographers to go down to the spot where WHJ stood and redo that shot. Charge them a heavy fee...limited to 20 or so photographers...and use that to repaint the oldest looking equipment on the line to a nice 19th century red...either Tuscan or a Chocolate Brown. (I'm not a D&RG
W enthusiast...I do not know the specifics of good and bad locations on the Silverton line)
With the repainting of the rolling stock financed by the photoshoot, run some excursions with the pretty cars...and some 1st class cars.
I don't think the 315 looks right with the 4-4-0...not at all. I think it would really need a number of cosmetic modifications (she looks WAY TOO modern), plus fancy F&CC paint, to pull off being the 19th century locomotive she once was. But, I do agree that she's far better than a dievil for pulling a chaser/being a helper for the hill. (I'm not requesting that the 315 people do anything to their finely restored work of art...just commenting on how it is not only a couple locomotive generations newer than the Eureka...but also that it is not in as-built appearance like the Eureka).
It is a shame that nearly all of the equipment at Durango is not just modern, but distinctly modern (1920s rebuilt equipment from 1900-1910). Sure, it was the best equipment the D&RGW had, but the 24' & 26' stuff would look great behind the Eureka. It would be wonderful if it were possible to round up the equipment around the state which actually looks like it belongs behind that fine locomotive (the DSP&P 1878 26' Litchfield boxcar at Como, the D&RG bobber at CRRM, whatever else there may be)...but that's a practical impossibility. Open platform coaches have to be good enough...preferably painted red (and no caboose...passenger trains didn't need cabeese!). Ward Kimball's coach, still in its as-built glory, would be absolutely perfect...especially if teamed with the Monterrey & Salinas combine at CSRRM...and that pairing would probably be impossible.
Michael