Re: NPS special/chile john

I'm not sure if I remember precisely what the mood was on the train, Dan, other than upbeat (predictably). There was some serious discussion about trying to save the entire line, but that would have taken the full cooperation of the Jicarilla Apaches. When approached they were allegedgly quoted as saying "What do we need a railroad for?" End of discussion.
And then there was the question of money. To pick up the entire line would have better than doubled the cost. Up to this point the D&RGW had been very patient waiting for the states to get their act together, but that patience was wearing thin. So in the end it was decided that half a loaf was better than none at all.
It would have been great if the whole line could have been saved, but in retrospect, think of the maintenance. We have our hands full with what we have.