Hi,
Continuing the brainstorming (hear the thunder?), the ride might be pulled by the steam helper after it gets back from Cumbres. If there is no switching in the yard, pulling it by steam - think of the possible interest if a tourist is driving by and a steamer with 1-2 cars crosses highway 19 in front of them. It may get them to go by the depot. Two (2) trips in the afternoon about an hour apart and a trip down the former mainline and down the NEW wye tail into the woods.
Please note that I am not targeting the railfan riders, I am trying to target a non-railfan, "been there done that got the tee shirt" crowd, and/or those who are traveling without a plan (no research and they "discover" a tourist railroad in the middle of no where).
As for me, I'd ride a motor car, diesel, or steamer west of the depot.
This might also allow winter operation (during low snow depths) during the winter. I recall riding a steam powered train with snow on the ground at both Strasburg, PA and Chama, NM. A wedge plow mounted on a flat car might be a good idea to have a plow on both ends of the train.
Food for thought.
Doug vV
P.S. extend it west to the Chama Valley Grocery Store and maybe you could get transit funding for travel from "suburban" Chama to "Downtown" Chama.