John West Wrote:
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> I have emailed Nick requesting September 28-29 for
> the Toltec Rattler 20th Anniversary Charter. That
> is a Friday and Saturday that is within the Fall
> color window, and immediately prior to a full
> moon. Like most things it is a compromise, but if
> acceptable to the railroad offers the chance to
> run an authentic train with some fall color and
> close to a full moon.....doesn't get much better
> than that. The Friday departure from Chama is
> designed to maximize the chances of having a
> second engine from Chama to Cumbres, since over
> the weekend any extra engine may be needed to
> doublehead the regular train. September 2012 is a
> long way away, and as we get closer and know who
> the new operator will be we can fine tune our
> plans, including things like a westbound mid-train
> helper.But for example if they do need a helper
> Saturday on the regular train, perhaps that engine
> could continue east and meet us at say Sublette
> for our afternoon and evening trip west. Lots to
> dream about.
Sounds GREAT to me, John!
THANK YOU for carrying the ball and all you are doing to bring this about. But, as the nit-picky apprentice Curmudgeon that you are mentoring, it behooves me to point out that it will be the FORTIETH Anniversary of the Toltec Rattler - not the 20th! We're aging faster than either of us really wants to admit ...
That is also a GREAT idea for getting us a helper for most of the afternoon on Saturday, but IMHO if we DO get that helper it should probably meet us at Big Horn so that it could run forward all the way from Cumbres and turn on the wye before being added to your train.
- Russo