Earl and Les got me to thinking about why I always prefer to ride out of Chama and how I promote the C&TS to friends, co-workers and neighbors (some have actually followed my advice, surprise, surprise). My personal preferences for riding the C&TS are as follows in order of importance to me as a D&RGW narrow gauge steam mountain railroad foamer (that should just about cover all the bases):
1. Day 1 of 3: Chama-to-Osier-to-Chama.
Day 2 of 3: Antonito-to Osier-to-Antonito.
Day 3 of 3: Chase Chama to Cumbres AM and chase returning Antonito train PM.
2. Day 1 and 2 above for 2 days total with no ground chase.
3. One day only: Chama-to-Osier-to-Chama
4. One day only alternate: Chama-to-Antonito one way.
Please notice that I always prefer the Eastbound out of Chama. Why?
Because the 4% grade lets the locomotive put on a darn good show and now with water cars, heavier trains etc. double headers are required. I don't need to elaborate on the why's to anybody here about the appeal of double headers. I experienced my first steam powered double-headers in 2000 on the C&TS and I wasn't disappointed at all.
Now what does all this mean? The Antonito departures need more pizzazz. Double heading, wether necessary or not, might be a start. Yes, I can appreciate the extra hassle using a helper engine adds to the days work load. The payoff might be in heavier ticket sales on that side.
Earl, what would the logistics be for keeping a helper at Antonito also. Both the Chama and Antonito Helpers could change sides each day like the road engines do now for the heavier service the Chama shop provides. Also this keeps another engine available on the Antonito side for rescue work and/or MOW work. It does require another servicable engine, which I take it to be the 3 & 2 Earl mentions.
What else besides double-heading would make the Antonito departures more attractive? Like a circus(maybe the Indians Jones circus train should be resurrected? naw.), the railroad is putting on a show or performance to attract people to come and pay good money for something to see, hear, smell and feel. The non-railfans need something more to see than more sagebrush and lava rock, seen one sagebrush ya seen em all. Perhaps some staged Butch Cassidy robberies might be one idea (whew, that one'll get my shorts flamed for sure.) Can't do Native American raids cause that isn't accepted today. But maybe an Indian pow-wow up on the lava flats might be a destination to run some short trains out of Antonito to on a couple of weekends. Yes, that sounds like some of the previous operators ideas rehashed. I am just brain farting here and some of these ideas may be pretty hairbrained. But my intentions are to spark ideas. The desert garden and the golf course ideas are not that far-fetched, really.
All of this will take some time, lots of money and some enterprising people with dedication and downright fortitude to make happen. But, first the railroad needs to be stabilized (which is hopefully happening, albeit tenously) and reach the next goal of 60,000 riders per season. Once the RR can be counted on to reliably provide what it advertises it can do, then tour operators can be enticed to send their customers for a ride.
Mark Valerius
P.S. Jay has a point about the local residents and why some of them have moved to the Chama valley. The scenery there does have a pretty quality to it and it is relatively quiet compared to the hub-bub of Durango or Pagosa Springs.
