Re: Jealous??

Husker Hank Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I cornered Al one day (he always shows teeth...a
> smile? a grimace?? a snarl???) on the train and in
> my typical "polite" questions (after practicing
> law for 39 years!) asked him about any special
> runs. He told me in no uncertain terms that the
> specials were nothing but a loss and a pain. He
> told me there was no chance of any more specials.
> None. Period. Just to seal the deal one of the
> principal organizers, Yavonne aka Box Car Betty is
> enjoying her retirement and another organizer,
> Bruce Anderson passed a few years ago.
> On a brighter moment I drove up to Silverton today
> and the colors are at their peak.
>
> Husker Hank
> Durango CO

Unfortunately, I think this is probably an accurate assessment of the current situation. I rode multiple Railfest trips in 2010 and 2011, as well as Fall Photo Trains, and two Willow Creek Charters, in 2011 and 2016. Both of the Willow Creek trips were sell-outs and I never heard anyone complain. They were both home runs. On that last charter, it became pretty obvious to the organizer that while the crews and staff were very supportive, the railroad management didn't want to do "special runs" anymore. Honestly, my only issue with charters on the D&S has been the traffic on the line. There are just too many trains and too few places to pass to allow a charter operator to really do what the patrons want. The Conductors are always chasing the next meet, which means that photo stops do get scratched.....a lot......and you can't be where you'd like to be, WHEN you'd like to be there. The very best charter I ever attended there was run on a Monday and Tuesday in February, when there were no Cascade trains on the line and we basically had the run of the place.

In contrast, the C&TS appears to actively go after the charter and special business. When Dan Markoff recently expressed an interest in returning to Colorado on this forum, Mr. Bush quickly responded "we can make it happen." I believe it will, and God willing, I'll be there.

Both railroads are great railroads. They just have different business models.

/Kevin Madore