Yes the Rotary is basically sound in the boiler and could run when the time is right. In the 90's when it ran, the cost was about $10K per day that the RR laid out. This was straight from the GM Joe Vigil as I sat in his truck before our charters a few days later.
The only time the Rotary ran for railfans specifically was in the 70's with OM.
The other runs in the 80's were for a commercial and to open the line for the tourist season.
The runs in the 90's were also operated as a need to clear the line before opening day. These runs were generally around the first weekend in May, and allow plowed snow to melt some, and get access for any track work that might need to be done.
These runs became such a costly affair that the railroad found other means to do the job, with dozers, snowzilla, and sometimes engines with plows.
Yes, there were some sponsored fan trips that were escort trains in conjunction with the Rotary runs, mainly in 1991 and 1997. Not so sure how successful these were monetarily. Photographers found them to be mediocre at best for images since they could only get ahead a couple of places between Cumbres and Los Pinos for shots. This was on the second day of operations(Cumbres eastward).
I think the current GM would love to see the OY operate again, but I believe the need has to be great to lay out the cash for its operation.
Much of the cost is manpower!!! Crews for 3 engines, plus the Rotary Crew, so 4 crews really. Then there are the section men who clear switches and shovel snow here and there, and all the support staff.
Not sure what advertising costs for Albuquerque TV, but I believe in 1991 the coverage they got helped to inject a lot of new riders, as that was a good year for the railroad. Can the railroad get $50K worth of publicity out of running the rotary? Who knows!!!
Just my thoughts. Patience everyone!!!
Greg
[
www.gregschollvideo.com]
