Stayed at the motel there in 1992 for the Craft Charters. Two weekend charters so was there Saturday night each weekend with my wife and then 5 year old. She exclaimed it was dirty and couldn't wait to get out of there....and she has had to endure some rugged stuff with me over the years.
This brings up a question. Why doesn't the railroad build some sort of C&TS motel there since there is so little in the way of options. Could be additional income and provide lodging for train riders. Could be seasonal or all year. Just sayin!!!
Lots of Rental car stories. Went through 2 Budget vans in South Africa in 1984. One my buddy ran off a rocky road into a rocky ditch. He was driving cause I was getting a cab ride in the second engine of a pair of 4-8-4's.
We were supposed to swap at a station where they switched but he never showed up. Engineer took me to the motel, where the two wives were. Finally Bill showed up as a farmer brought him in. He said he was looking for the map I drew for him, and wound up off the road!!! The problem was we needed another van, so called Johannesburg, and said we needed it by 6 am the next morning. Thats because the next morning was Saturday and the Saturday only passenger train was running at 7 am, and the engine I rode in and the driver were to be the power. The van showed up around 6:40, and we barely made the first shot. They drove it overnight to get there.
Later on a dusty road 2-3 weeks later a guy plowed into the back of us in the dust. The van survived, but about 2 hours before returning the license plate fell off. So time to get rid of it and get home!!!
Lots of US stories where we rented weekends for chases. I remember in the 70's weekend specials for $59.95. 4 of us rented a Buick, drove from Cincinnati to Atlanta over Friday night, chased 4449 two days toward Washington, DC and made it home in time to return by 8 am on Monday. I think we drove 1600 miles. Cost each was around $15.00-$20.00 with insurance.
Last one. In 1991 for the Rotary my brother came out to Chama via Albuquerque. I had my van there with the family already. He got a Toyota Forerunner, or some such, with 4WD. I remember scouting the line and he sorta got stuck at Dalton crossing. So much for FWD
One additional regarding mileage. In 1995 Les Jarrett and I worked on our second America By Rail video-The West Coast Route. Rented a mini-van at Great Cincinnati. Airport for 4 weeks unlimited mileage. When we returned it there was over 10K miles on it. The guy at the lot was livid, stating that the car now had over 20K miles on it or some such and they wouldn't get much for it now!!! Not my issue the way I saw it.
Cheers,
Greg
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/12/2019 02:56PM by Greg Scholl.
