Dick Cowles Wrote:
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> Michael, I'm puzzled. Great photo, but why for a
> Moonlight Train ride? You have shown a great
> interest in advising the C&TS on how to market the
> railroad, so is this your recommendation for
> attracting riders to enjoy such an evening; a way
> to attract tourists who by-and-large would have
> little interest in seeing some equipment in a
> railroad yard at night? Or is your target
> audience loco-centric rail-fans like me?
I think he is simply trying "Something" and his goal was
to mix steam and the moonlight message. Now if someone has night
shots crossing Cascade Creek Trestle with the full moon, the firebox door open, etc, etc, that might be better if it existed!!! I just hope he got permission from Mr Hogan to use his photo.
>
> As one of the advocates at RGRPC for having the
> operator run moonlight trains, which we introduced
> quite successfully back in 2001,
As I said above we rode a Moonlight train back in 1993, well before
RGRPG, so this was nothing they introduced as far as I know.
>
> As a general point, and not to single out Michael,
> too often the advertising suggestions one sees
> from railfans are great for attracting railfans.
> Nothing wrong with that, but that's not the biz
> that pays the bills.
From what I have seen the C&TS photos have been mediocre at best, not really sure what they are aiming at, railfans or general audience. Therefore I suggest some hardcore photos, and some General interest ones to cover all basis. Who knows you might even find the General People really do like railfan pics, which can be dramatic if done right!
There is one shot that I think RGRPC got from some guy they hired and it shows this down below track level shot of the drivers of just the engine with some of the mountain behind it. That could have been anywhere Rocky Mountains. Using some of the fabulous scenic locations, or railroad photo props along the 64 miles would have been better in my estimation. How about shots at Cascade Creek trestle with fall colors,
or Chama River bridge with Jukes Tree, or in the Narrows with the river canyon in the background. Lobato Trestle is always interesting. How about shots from Coxo Loop, or Tanglefoot curve. Maybe stage a really long train, or two on the two levels to show the unusual curve. Whiplash Curve is another special place, or Phantom Curve with its pinnacle rock formations. That stuff is always made it fascinating for me, after I think of my preference for steam first. Just my two cents and not trying harass anyone!!
Greg Scholl
