From my one experience on a moonlight train, in July 1993 during a Friends work session, we left Osier on the return before it was pitch black, and it was plenty daylight in Osier for our "tough" steak dinner.
Riding back in the open gon behind the engine(my fav 484), was nice though. Also a bonus for me, was that we did two photo runbys on the run to Osier. One was at Lobato siding, where we met the regular Westbound, and later they did one just beyond the Coxo Crosssing, in superb late afternoon sunlight. You don't get that on many photospecials with lovely sidelight on Windy Point!
If I were doing a trip out of Alamosa on the 26th, I wouldn't be doing the moonlight train on the 25th, unless I was a glutton for punishment!!!
With all the stuff going on out there at this time, I don't see to many hardcore fans wanting to do a moonlight train this year!!! I think most folks are going to be tight on cash if they are doing both D&S and other events as well. Back in steam days you just needed gas, lodging, and some food to chase NG freights. Today one needs literally thousands of dollars for these specials, with all the support stuff like travel to get there. In 1968 we did our first UP steam excursion.
The fare was $50.00, including two buffet meals on the train(one was beans and franks). I heard a lot of folks complaining about the steep price of the tickets. Of course today that looks really cheap, but everything is relative I guess.
Being an older coot I guess it takes something really, really spectacularly special to get me to plunk out $200-$400 for a photo charter when there are so many variables that could work against you. The moonlight train is not a photo charter by definition, and I do not mean to imply it is. They are decent value. I hear there is some stuff flying around about Marketing, and I admit I have not read it. I know the C&TS is usually not that active this time of year before school is out. One thing that worries me though is the ticket prices, which can get really steep for a family, especially if you need a bus for a portion of it. My first trip to Cumbres from Chama was $10.00 in 1971!!! The sound was awesome of 484 climbing the grade. Guess that part still has not changed today!!
Cheers,
Greg Scholl
