Thank Alan Loomis, John -
IIRC, he's technically not even employed by the C&TS until he returns to Chama in a couple of days,
but he has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to encourage a novice charterer and has pulled a LOT
of strings to make this trip happen!! And Ronnica has put up with all kinds of changes, challenges &
special requests, and has handled it all with a smile!
Jerry Day's endorsement several months ago encouraged me to give it a try, and close to two dozen railroaders and fans have sent in donations and/or bought tickets to support the painting of #489 and the operation of this charter. Jeff Ellingson of the D&SNG not only offered to help us obtain the correct color paint, he has offered to come over to Antonito next month to apply it!!
Michael Ripley has had my back since the get-go, and enthusiastic endorsements from you, Roger Hogan and Tim Tennant - and my friends at the Rocky Mountain RR Club, the Colorado RR Museum, the Golden Gate RR Museum and the San Luis Obispo RR Museum - have given us credibility and free publicity without which this trip would probably have been canceled a couple of weeks ago!
THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING A CRAZY DREAM, AND HELPING IT COME TRUE!!
- Russ Sperry