bookemdanno Wrote:
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> Yes Chris - Just look at the D&S. All of the
> Californicators and their disdain for coal smoke
> wafting up their nostrils.
When I go to Durango, I see a private-sector railroad that operates year round. During the summer peak, this railroad is running 3
*long* (12 car) trains a day, working their locomotives hard. This private sector operation generates lots of jobs, both on the railroad (operating crews, shop crews, maintenance-of-way, ticket sales, promotions, special events, etc.) and off the railroad (hotels, restaurants, gift shops, etc.) All this economic activity generates considerable tax revenue.
In short, when I go to Durango, I see a railroad doing what railroads have always done - building up the country.
When I go to Chama (or Antonito), I see a heavily subsidized, tax-dependant railroad that runs for less than half the year. It typically runs short trains, 5-6 cars on the Antonito end, and 7-8 cars on the Chama end. When I arrive in the morning, I observe that the parking lots are mostly empty until about 9:15, which is 45 minutes prior to the train departure. In the half-hour period between 9 and 9:30, the parking lots get very busy as people arrive from out of town, park their vehicle (or get off the bus), and get on the train. The train leaves at 10 and the terminals then have minimal activity until 4, when the train arrives. Passengers get off, get into their vehicles/on the bus, and leave town... and drive to their hotels in Alamosa (Antonito end) or Pagosa Springs (Chama end). While heavily subsized by taxes, the operation generates far fewer jobs and economic impact than the D&SNG in Durango.
Now, I have tremendous respect for the employees of the C&TS - they do incredible work. Heck, I'm still stunned that a handful of maintenance of way employees have been able to do such an incredible job completely rehabilitating the line. (I wouldn't believe it was possible except that I saw it happen with my own eyes!) However, the railroad is not having the economic impact that the surrounding area so badly needs.
In my life, I've learned that the smaller the pie, the harder people will fight over that pie. Chama is a really small pie. Instead of continuing to fight over that small pie, do what it takes to bake a bigger pie.
No offense, but complaining that people in Durango complain about coal smoke really misses the point.
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Chris Webster
