One thing we have to remember in all this. Its a little saying my dad used in around 1960.
"Steam is dead....Long live steam"
The point I wish to make is that steam has been dead on standard gauge tracks in the U.S. since 1960-61(N&W and Grand Trunk being the last class ones).
So, the little narrow gauge extension of the D&RGW somehow soldiered on, being on borrowed time until the end of 1968. It was an oddity to last that long, especially since most of the other Narrow gauge lines were long gone.
Therefore EVERYTHING left is simply a re-created after-life of the glory days of steam railroading. The only place you can see everyday steam railroading in revenue service is China and Cuba. There were others in the past after the US was gone, like Europe, Eastern Europe, and South Africa. They too are dieselized for the most part and doing some steam preservation.
I guess we are so far removed from those REAL steam days of the 60's, that the entire purpose of their existance is different from what they were intended for in the first place.
That said, for the most part the Narrow Gauge in Chama or Durango DOES give you a pretty good feel for who it might have been in the glory years. It sure beats some other places that far more hoaky! And, given the lack of steam in the U.S. today, its a stronghold of steam once more like it was in the 60's.
As for authentic, I guess I would rather see the Yellow steam engine than the Geese which were not run on the Silverton line to begin with! I think the idea of railfest is to have a good time, and have as much variety as possible. If I lived closer I would probably make a trip every couple of years. Who knows maybe this year for that matter...I am getting cabin fever here bigtime. Winter never seems to end here in 2003!!
Greg