Since this thread was started by John Bush I am assuming that he is following it, and so my comment was addressed to him -- in my mind. at least.
Earl said: "I guess someone thinks us former (and current) tourist railroaders made (make) tons of money working in our profession."
re that, I think that John knows better than that, as he is "one of us." I think that he, or somebody at the C&TS, has put together a great program with some rare opportunities for the hardcore railfan fantasy photographers -- and at a fair and reasonable price. I didn't mean to disparage that at all.
The problem is that this was initially described, to me at least, as a
"reunion" of current and former narrow gauge railroaders -- people who over the years have been involved in preserving, restoring, and operating narrow gauge railroads. And the truth is that
most of us who that describes are not "hardcore railfan fantasy photographers." We are, for the most part, the guys who put on the show, not the guys who chase, ride and record it.
Speaking for myself, and that's all I can do, what I was looking forward to was the "reunion" part, as we have been discussing over the years, which I assume is the Saturday evening event. The rest of it I can take or leave. And at that price I will have to leave it.
As rehunn said "...there's always the opportunity for an "ad hoc" event separate from the "formal" festivities. nobody says a little get together can't be organized." I certainly have that in the back of my mind, at least for the Scenic Railways people who may show up. But only as a last resort. Frankly, I have no desire to undercut or horn in on John's party; and anyway I am not there (in Chama) anymore, and so have no idea what the possibilities are (venues, etc).
Until this came up I was planning to attend the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion at Mt. Pleasant, IA Labor Day weekend. Always wanted to do that, but I can't do both. I am hoping that John will mull these ideas over and maybe come up with an "Alternative Plan B" that will allow us underfunded veterans an opportunity to participate in the "reunion" part of the program and enjoy the rest of the event as our funds allow. But, for me at least, the Old Threshers Reunion it is still an option.
"Time spent with CATS is never wasted." -- Sigmund Freud
"Nothing endures but change." -- Heraclitus
"C'est le meilleur des mondes possibles." -- Candide