Hey I can be as much of a purist as the next guy.
I agree with your statement, and can see where you fear things not going back to where they were. I too would hate to see 473 remain yellow. I never thought much of the paint scheme anyway, as it was out of the norm.
However, I do give the D&S credit for even doing it, as it tells me they ARE interested in the history of the D&RGW. Remember last year they did the green Boiler Jacket, and they removed the Bear-traps off the stacks for awhile as I remember.
Personally I find the Yellow coaches way more authentic than the C&TS coaches, and they are more attractive. Without a good appearance, there may not be any riders, and all this stuff might become scrap.
Heck on the mainline trips everyone complains that the engines run with diesel helpers, or with extra water cars that don't match. I guess you have to make a call. On the Ohio Central I have regular excursions with water cars, that are pulling riders from point A to B, and thats the way it was for those trips. Riders want to see what they rode. Last year we shot 6325 on freight runs with authentic lettering GTW, no water car, etc, and only 100 railfans saw it. I guess there is a place for both, and without the tourist and Joe rider's there isn't a train for us fans to enjoy at all.
Would I like to see San Juan cars on the C&TS...Sure. Will it happen...unlikely. You are right, historic preservation is not always accurate. Its a tough issue, and not one that has a black and white answer I am afraid.
The purist in me wants to video tape only freights on the C&TS since thats more prototypical.
However the business man in me wants to shoot the passenger runs, cause thats probably what would sell to the riders. If I am riding, the scenery is the same no matter what I am riding on!
On the D&S, what is prototypical? Well going back to the 40's they may have run pure freights, but mainly it was noted as a mixed train, before the tourist crowd.
To sum this monster up, I like you Jerry, would make everything look like the 40's or 50's if I had the chance to do so. Unfortunately, we don't have that luxury, and to survive I suppose the railroads have to take liberties with historic preservation, not only for safety, but for economic reasons. We don't have to like it and we can stay home, or we can enjoy whats there and remember how it used to be, even though its all a shadow of its former self!!
Greg, tiring of this subject Scholl
