Re: SLRG between Salida and Buena Vista - NNG

Let's take a look at what needs to be done.
Union Pacfic would need to either sell or lease the line. What would be in it for them?
Somebody would have to contract with somebody to run the railroad. What would be in it for them?
The operator would probably have to borrow money. That might be a problem with the economy the way it is.
Governmental approval would be needed.
Equipment would have to be broght in, probably over track that has not be used in many years. There are more dealings with UP as well as Rock and Rail and the Canon City & Royal Gorge. Would Lindsay Ashby want to let equipment of a competitor go over his railroad, even if it is only one time?
What about the Leaadville, Colorado & Southern? This is Colorado's forgotten tourist line (my opinion) that would probably be hurt, perhaps fatally, if the new line starts. Then, if the new line fails we would be without two tourist railroads.
Finally, beware of consultants who say what the people paying them the money would want them to hear. About 10 years ago a consultant told the members of the Pueblo Locomotive and Rail Historical Society that a train ride around what was left of Pueblo Union Depot loop would bring in 78,000 riders a year. The Pueblo Railway Foundation now operates the ride about five times a year. There hasn't been 78,000 riders total since the rides started in 2004. The point is I would be skeptical of someone said the Brown's Canyon Route would be a going concern.