Greg & recreationists:
The timing may now be right for the C&TS to consider the idea of sponsoring their own historic “recreation” excursions. I have never understood why the Friends were not all over this but perhaps like many things it takes a core group of people with the time (and passion) to put it together. To me if this was an annual event at approximately the same time of year (Fall?) it would allow for pre-planning for participants and give the RR & Friends an annual project focus for specific equipment to prepare a year in advance or even schedule a work session to dovetail with the event.
I have been advocating a fall stock rush theme for the last several years and now that # 463 is about ready to roll out and # 315 is coming this fall it sounds like there are only 6 stock cars serviceable.
and how about:
Rio Grande Southern recreations using Geese and relettered # 463, inviting RGS #20 when completed, plus other equipment from CRRM.
The Friends reconstruction of the 2 frameless tank cars are several years down the road but why not start the planning now for Cumbres tank train turns using the entire fleet of tanks in 2015 or so. Heck, see if UTLX Corporation would spring for some $ and borrow the other frameless cars from Golden and Georgetown for an “oily” reunion at the Chama rack.
There is a lot of MOW equipment that has been restored so that could be one theme as well. If a Rotary is going to be returned to service that could also be a big draw for a spring event (weather permitting).
I haven’t seen a plan of action to get the # 256 coach obtained from the CRRM museum into an outside shop for restoration and future use either. The Colorado Springs Friends group is making steady progress on the # 452 coach but it appears to be years away from completion. The RR has needed historic passenger cars for over 40 years, maybe we will see it in our lifetimes but I have yet to see a plan that addresses this issue from an excursion point of view. John Bush mentioned a San Juan recreation I think but it has been years since the Commission budgeted for a new passenger car. Seems like this is a capital project for state funding that IMHO should be at the top of the Commission priority list since the premium class of service has been doing well.
And let’s not forget that the historic preservation fee is building a fund that could and should be tapped annually to provide seed money for these events. Bottom line summary; 1. Do something creative and hopefully different that has not previously been done on excursions, 2. Plan it a year in advance, 3. Make it an annual event. 4. Keep the cost within reason for the average railfan.
My 2 ½ cents.
Rod
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 02/07/2013 07:20AM by rod.