The point various people have tried to make is, the average tourist doesn't care what is on the tender, but people attending charters that are paying $60,000 do care. Why not try and craft a solution that maximizes income?
After looking at my photos from this fall, about 1/2 the shots suffer from the obvious magnetic lettering, which was variously misapplied and or wrinkled and curled at the edges. I won't spend big bucks on any future charter that does not guarantee the lettering will be painted on (and not a last minute slap on job where the black paint covering the C&T lettering stands out like a glossy sore thumb). And that means, six nights in an area motel and six days of meals at area restaurants that won't happen otherwise.
What the railroad doesn't seem to realize is, charter attendees stay in the area for both the day before and the day after a charter. On a five day charter, like the recent Farrail charter, that's six days. The average excursion rider, on the other hand, gets off the train at 4PM and takes a nice leisurely drive to Pagosa Springs or Santa Fe. Those families that do stay, no doubt occupy a single room for a family of four. Most charter attendees are guys traveling without their wives, so four railfans will occupy between two and four rooms! Charters provide greater economic benefit to the area than people realize.
One of and perhaps the major reason for the State's buying the C&TS in the first place was economic development for a region that is historically economically depressed. The railroad should be doing everything in their power to promote everything that will bring business to Chama and Antonito, as well as paying the wages of the RR employees.
Michael
