Rich Muth Wrote:
===================================
> Russ: This group offers (it has been doing this
> for a number of years) folks who are staying in
> Pagosa an opportunity to ride the C&TS:
>
>
Wilderness Journeys Pagosa
Thanks, Rich -
Obviously, I was totally unaware of this service!
IMHO, it offers the C&TS a GREAT opportunity to expand its offerings into one of the best populations, demographically speaking, that it is best suited for and most wants to attract: high-end vacationers in Pagosa Springs with plenty of time and discretionary income on their hands. Being ensconced here in the Pokey in Pagosa (no thanks to Steve and Willie), I have had plenty of time to ponder the following what-ifs, should a Cumbres - Toltec Siding round trip, powered by #15 or #19, be offered by the C&TS
: 1. In addition to offering an alternative half-day trip to those staying in Antonito and Chama, it could save Wilderness Journeys customers - and buses - enough time to be worthwhile, or at least allow a somewhat later departure that would be more convenient for resort customers.
2. If timed right, it could actually serve as an advertisement for C&TS' full-day trips (suppose that the W-J bus "just happened" to be passing Lobato Trestle as the regular eastbound train was crossing, or "had" to stop for the train at the Hiway 17 crossing above Dalton ...
">see Roger's "School Train" video)
3. Instead of a full hour lunch at Osier, stop just long enough for passengers to use the "facilities" and pick up their beef, ham, liverwurst or turkey sandwich box lunches (while inhaling the delicious aromas of the full lunch they're missing out on, and - of course - getting a glimpse of the souvenir shop).
4. Departing Osier just after they have a chance to watch both of the regular trains arrive - deluxe parlor cars and all - pulled by their fascinating 90+ year old steam locomotives.
5. Being passed by said fascinating steam-powered eastbound train after the little diseasel has run around their train at Toltec Siding (and maybe switched the caboose to the other end.)
6. Stopping at Osier just long enough on the return trip for a brief visit to the "Facilities" - and the souvenir shop ...
Clearly there would be some details to work out, but Scenic Railways proved in 1975 that the basic concept of a diseasel-powered round trip through the Heart of the High Country is workable -
and profitable - so why not give it a try?
- El Abuelo Histœrico, Greengo y Curmudgeoño de los Locomoturas Viejos y Verdes,
aka Der Grossväterlich DünkelOlivGrünDampfKesselMantelLiebHabender
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 07/06/2015 12:02PM by Russo Loco.