weston1879 Wrote:
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> Depends on what your dream is. It seems like
> everybody has written off the Lobato-Cumbres
> section as inoperable when this seems to be the
> big money-maker for the line.
There were earlier threads about running tourist trains on this
section, and I think the bottom line was that the railroad thought
it was not a good enough money maker for the costs(crew, etc). It may
also be that they do not want to offer this option when they have more lucrative trips in place from Cumbres-Antonito-Osier. There has always
been conjecture about shorter trips, like Chama-Cumbres in the past for those not wanting to spend all day, or who do not have the money for the bigger trips, and the answer has always been that the shorter trip would take away from the longer ones, which means less dollars, and the same expenses essentially.
I see where this logic comes from, but given the circumstances I think SOME shorter trips should be done on a trial bases, especially during the fall colors.
My trial on this would be to offer trips to Lobato three days per week. Make the price $25.00, and 50% off for those who ride the other trains. Thats a $12.50 saving for those who use the longer trips.
Greg Scholl
Isn't there any way
> they can get something in there and run. Cant they
> build a wye and some passing sidings at Lobato?
I don't see this happening anytime soon. Better bet would be to have the loco facing west, run west from Chama depot, turn the engine on the wye, and let the tourists watch the move. Then run chimney first to Lobato, and tender-first back to Chama. Repeat the move for the afternoon train if in fact business can support two trips a day.
This train might be good for small groups and organizations, like school kids, etc who want to make a long day trip. Drive up to Chama in the morning, ride the afternoon train to Lobato, and drive home that day...to say Sante Fe or Colorado Springs.
In conclusion I doubt the GM and other folks who count in this discussion really want to try this. After all a lot of folks may ride Chama to Lobato and have that short trip as their only lasting memory of riding the C&TS. Do we all want that???
Greg Scholl
