Dennis Tebo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> John,
>
> I count around 55 people in your photo. I sent my
> request in for two tickets yesterday after finding
> this thread, I’m #285 and #286! Oh well. The
> only chance I have with all the interest, would
> require the event to be turned into many separate
> events.
>
> Dennis
Hi Dennis,
I'm not sure that these numbers we're all getting are really all that meaningful. Folks were responding to a very generic question that was posed to everyone about "interest" in attending a rotary event. Unfortunately, we don't know exactly when or where the event will be, nor do we know the more critical details such as how the participants will get to the viewing/shooting locations, and of course, how much it will cost. In fact, the initial announcement didn't specifically state that this would be a private event.....meaning not a free-for-all on Highway 17, although that's definitely been clarified since.
Running the rotary will be a very expensive operation, but the extent of the expense depends on where it happens. If done on the east side, it might just be the rotary and one pusher locomotive. Since rotary is a steam engine, that's two steam engines per day at roughly $10K each, just based on rough charter costs I've seen in the recent past. Move the operation to the Chama side, and you'll need 1-2 additional steam engines, or potentially $40K per day to ensure that the railroad pays the bills and makes money on the event. A two-day event would be an $80K bill (and probably significantly more) on the 4%. I say more because of crew expenses. A rotary operation requires a lot more people than a simple freight charter. But using the low-ball $80K number, for 40 people, that's $2,000 per head. I suspect that 40 people could definitely be found who would be interested at that price. If it were 80, the price could be halved. Of course, those 40 - 80 would be looking for some kind of assurance that the highway wouldn't be clogged with freeloaders enjoying the show at their expense, and the more serious concern.....fouling their shots.
Beyond that, there are the concerns that others have mentioned. Depending on the snow depth and consistency, getting to decent photo locations at 9,000 ft MSL elevations could involve some pretty strenuous physical activity. I'm 61 and in pretty good shape for my age, but the thought of slogging through hip-deep snow at 9,000 ft., on steep inclines like the approaches to Cumbres Pass does give me pause. Even on snowshoes, post-holing is a really scary experience.....been there, got the tee shirt. And as others have pointed out, if someone suffers a medical emergency, getting timely treatment up there is.....well, without a med-evac helo on standby, it's pretty problematic. Even if we were all marathoners, there would be concerns about photo line control. With 40-80 folks all roaming around on snowshoes, herding the cats could be a challenge.
Yes, I think there are likely hundreds of people who ideally would like to witness a rotary run. But I think that once all of the logistics, the costs, the hazards and other details are properly considered, the numbers are probably not nearly what we are seeing right now.
/Kevin Madore
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/24/2019 09:18AM by KevinM.
