I hate to say it but it does look a little far fetched. I can't imagine all the trouble that could arise just for property rights etc. I of coure would never oppose the construction of this R.R. However, I would doubt many people who own the parts of r.o.w. would be thrilled to have a R.R. running through their property. The government land will be an obstacle. 15 years ago in the small town I grew up in they deciced to widen a 2 lane highway to a 4 laner. The local oppostion was incredible, however this was desparately needed and with the D.O.T. behind it and a large construction company as well eventually it came to pass. I do not see the great need for this line. Don't get me wrong, I would love to see it back. For the past 20 years I have always tried to follow the old road bed while traveling between Chama and Durango, who here doesn't. But there are plenty of people who don't care, and another group about our size who would vehemently oppose this idea. I look at the opposition that poor Don Shank is going through, and his track is already there. People and those who would pay for this could never justify the costs. We can't even secure th funds to bring back all the locos on the C&TS, I hate to say it but whatever money is raised would be better served else where.
However, I do see a bright side. The one thing that motivates almost all people, companies, and our gov't organizations is $$$$$$$$. I see the only way to get this going is to start with a line to Dulce from Chama or Dgo to Ignacio. The casinos are unfortunately our best hope. If we could get the tribes interested this would help in both securing some funds and aquiring trackage rights. With this as a start, the next segments could be built as money was acquired. If the casino line was built and was not profitable, we could probably bank on the fact any more construction would be useless. I don't think I can stress enough the need to get the support of the person who does not read these posts, but the person who would be willing to ride a steam train to a casino, they are the ones that will in the end pay for the operation. Durango is successful not because of all the trainbuffs that ride it, but all the vacationers and average tourists who ride it, and they are the ones that paid for the restoration of the 486, 497, 480, 481, 482, restoration of coaches, the machine shop etc. This line was abandoned once already for a reason, but so was the Georgetown loop.
