Re: thoughts on the C&TS and its Future

Charlie this is one of the best summaries of the situation yet. There is so much more than the rantings from people on some boards as to who is the devil at the C&TS and how he or she and their demons have set upon the railroad. Please this is a general statement and not meant to mean anyone in particular. Just the general nature of some of the discussions made about the railroad.
The truth is, we railfans have very little control over the politics. The Commission is still the final authority over the railroad. Unless some people can learn to live with this, they are going to be even more angry. The fact is they have NO chance to make any major changes at this time.
The world situation and the economy will influance the passenger loads if and when the railroad reopens. Yes, Jeff is right the railroad must operate in 2003. If the present operator returns, this is something we railfans will have to live with. If another operator gets in, things may be different. In the long run the C&TS still will need the support of the Friends. Not the operator RGRPC, but the volunteers that help keep so much of the railroad alive.
If one of the other three candidates, other than RGRPC get the railroad, maybe the relations between railfans, the communities and the Commission may change. Maybe the new operators may not have time for all the crap that is being stired up and tell everyone to stay away and let us get the railroad back together. Maybe the next operator, no matter who it is should keep the railfans out of the railroad for while. Let the people who run it time to work without interference.
Lets look forward to the Commission getting the job of selecting a new operator done soon so we can move on to what is important, saving the C&TS. Lets not let it become like the rest of the San Juan extension to Durango, abandoned.
This has been one of the most positive threads and useful suggestions in a long time. Also I notice that a lot of people have posted that do not seem to want to get involved in the mud slinging going on over this railroad. Lets keep the positive ideas flowing.
Dale Brown
Lima, Peru