If the rotary goes out of Chama, I can see a need to close the highway to traffic for several reasons.
It will be winter This event will likely draw in many rail fans from far away. The safety concern I have is that winter in narrow gauge country is no laughing matter. I can imagine a bunch of rail fans from warmer climates in unfamiliar rental cars, with winter driving skills that are lacking, driving distracted in some serious winter driving conditions. At worst, it could be amateur night at the bumper cars. At best, someone will skid off the road and cause a massive traffic jam, with lots of frustrated people.
This event is likely to be a massive inconvenience to motorists who are not rail fans and are just trying to get from A to B. By closing the highway and allowing only lead convoy traffic to go through, it can keep traffic moving. Also, the leaders of the convoys could be officials with a radio connection to the train, so they know the location of the train and can stop the convoy to prevent snow and debris from the rotary from damaging vehicles (which has happened in the past).
As a rail fan from Cincinnati, I live in an area that has little snowfall. I feel that I have insufficient experience driving in snow to be able to operate a vehicle safely in crowded conditions on Cumbres Pass in winter. I would strongly prefer to pay money to ride in a van or bus so I could concentrate on enjoying being there, and not on a potentially white-knuckle driving.experience. As a member of a tour group, I wouldn't have to drive, worry about where to stop, or how to park safely. I could eat snacks while riding as a passenger, I could use my phone, and I could prepare my recording and photography equipment without being a safety hazard to anyone. In a perfect world, the whole thing could be prearranged with ideal watching spots pre-selected and a parking place for the van already plowed so I wouldn't have to worry about finding a good vantage point or getting my car stuck.
I would gladly pay money for this. I would not want to short the railroad much needed revenue. If I could get the time off from work, I'd be there!
Dave
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/17/2019 03:08PM by Volvoguy87.