Re: "Quality" charters (redux) ...

rehunn Wrote:
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> The 70's rotary trips were pretty addictive, snow
> is a wonderful addition
> to a train (except for the operating issues). But,
> what a POS to try and
> schedule, considering the off season crew and
> power requirements and the
> total difficulty in setting a day months in
> advance with a guarantee of
> snow. A February Rotary trip got cancelled due to
> lack of snow, in the
> Southern Rockies in the dead of Winter?? So, the
> issue becomes, how much
> notice is required to run a trip in the dead of
> Winter ie can the cars
> be painted, prepped, prior to the Winter with the
> understanding that the
> trip could be run on 2, 3 weeks notice? I like
> Russ' idea of the two
> engine Westboud into the Sun, that's great
> photography, I'd just like to
> add some snow. Comments???

Rotary would be better but that's several crews, locomotives, etc.

Flanger as far as safe with one crew is way less complicated. Same crew the next day for a Christmas train for the kids is much easier to pull off. Mid December before the holiday season is better. Snow is light and fluffy then.

Actually, the last time we had a Christmas train there was good snow. If ya haven't been in Chama during a snow, the metal roofs shed show quicker. Kinda slides off in a big swoosh! I was in Chama then. Village had an event at the schools. I woke up to a horse drawn wagon with it going right down the village streets with rides in a snow storm. In the evening a small Christmas parade. Very nice.

Question is if there are 50 flanger riders who'd pay $200.00 each? I would

Would be incredibly cool to open the line to Cumbres and have kids meet Santa the next day at the section house. Cause in early December there's likely to be a winter wonderland at Cumbres. Talk about a real Polar Express!