It is time, and it is us.

I have come back to the forum after a year or so away, and was dismayed to find that the C & T S was in such dire straits. I knew it coudn't be good, what with being shuttered by the Forrest Service, but had no idea it was this bad. I guess it is going to come down to us, the fans, to do what we can. I don't know quite how to go about this, but if every narrow gauge fan in the world would send $100.00 per year (less than a new RR book) as a sustaining contribution to the RR, They would probably have all they need and more. Rio Grande narrow gauge is a religion that goes all around the world. The only problem would be:whom would you send it to? and how would it be applied to the operation so it wan't frittered away or skimmed off by administrators? Perhaps I will just join the friends, but I'd like to do more. And I don't know if a contribution to the Friends would (or could) go directly to support the RR.
I have been as guilty as anyone in assuming the RR would always be there like the sun coming up in the morning, buying models, books and videos, instead of supporting an irreplacable treasure like the C & T S. I don't live close enough to help in person much, but I want to put my money where my mouth is.
In England, they have built new locomotives from scratch as well as miles of new line. How do they do it? Do they have more Government support than we do, or are their fans just more dedicated? I don't know, but I'd like to know how they do it.
Anyway, I feel that those of us who love it owe some support to the RR. If we lose it it is ultimately our own fault.