Look at it for what it is.. not what is isn't
First, it is a weekend thing. Not everyday. You need not pull in those dedicated serious skiers seven days a week. (When has any ski town been composed of 100 % dedicated skiiers?, Of course we could always appeal to the service employees in those towns who might want to get away for a day, or we could operate a true hospital train, offering half price tickets to people with leg fractures).
Second, simply 60 people max per ride on a Saturday and Sunday. Sixty! Not 160, not 600, not 6000!
Additionally......
Third, if Ski Taos is such a splendid destination, then by accident they must pull in some people by mistake you aren't die in the wool ski freaks. Not everyone will be that type of person. It isn't a homogeneous population. It never will be. That why diversions other than skiing exist in ski towns. (There are other diversions aren't there?)
Fourth, a bus ride to Antonito from Taos is not the worst event in the world. By western standards, the places are right next to each other, 80-90 miles tops.
Fifth, during prime ski season months of Dec, Jan, Feb. about 12 weekends occur. I'd like see some ski people's money transfer into the hands of the Antonito locals at that time of year.
The point about safety is undeniable. However it is far from a fatal flaw. First it (safety) depends on the wellness of the pineapple. From the posts I have read, if the pineapple were to be put into shape, it would prove extremely reliable. That is a principle feature of a well maintained diesel electric locomotive. Since two coaches are the only revenue cars used, the likelihood of a system failure is decreased. When is the last time a coach caused a massive train failure on the line? A speeder, or perhaps the enclosed MOW vehicle, would travel with the train to ensure an extra measure of safety. It is the speeder that is suppose to catch any flak.
There are additional safety options: (1) during the "ski" trains months of operation, borrow, for a price, a second diesel for backup, (e.g. Georgetown) and (2) cancel trains as operating conditions demand. I was very conservative about a ticket price ($100/head), If an extra locomotive was required to idle at Antonito, the ticket price could be bumped up to say $120 or $140.
Of course bad things can happen, an avalanche could take out a coach or two, The train could get covered by ten foot drifts. Everyone could die. But then again, after GB left Chama, reliable (?) people were predicting that safe train operation over the line would be impossible during the summer and that whole trains would tip over and send hundreds to their deaths. All at 8 mph. Well, watch out for exaggerations.
The weather on the Antonito side is actually quite drier both summer and winter than Cumbres. It is that dry side/wet side of the mountain thing. The Antonito side would support safe operation. December through February. It would put extra money into deserving hands, and it would provide a nice positive exposure for the railroad. And for once, Antonito would be alone in the spotlight (no matter what the spotlight size).
Hum.. nice for a change.
