Carl I agree. That seems to be what is forgotten when the C&TS’s mission is brought up. Some seem to think it is
only to preserve the time capsule that it is. The whole railroad was saved not just to be a historic landmark, but first and foremost to generate economic dollars to help the community. Diesels would be an investment in the communities that depend on the train. When the train shuts down, who suffers? If any community needs the railroad more, it is definitely Chama and Antonito vs. Durango. What is the point of having a railroad if it can’t operate during tourist season?
That is part of why it is fortunate that it was
NOT preserved and put in the NPS system in 1968. In the national park system you are stuck with piles of protocols and rules that do not currently burden the C&TS. I studied Yellowstone in an environmental history class and the park cannot remove facilities it created in the 30s or 60s since they represent a historic time period. So now the park has to maintain facilities that are not necessarily historic, or part of the ecosystem for which Yellowstone was set aside. Empty gas stations and garages not being used, but cannot be removed either because the structures have now become historic, and other similar issues. The bureaucracy gets too deep.
As much as I would
not like diesels at either location, the casual tourist would accept a ride on a diesel, vs. no ride at all. I also would prefer diesels whipped out vs changing any more of the fleet to oil. I like that 493 is being restored, and accept that the trade-off is oil. To see any other operating K switched would turn my stomach (except maybe 498). Harper takes his responsibility seriously to keep his railroad operating, it keeps his people working, which should be his main goal. To keep your people working you have to do what you have to do. The viability of the operation now and in the future should outweigh authenticity, as much as it pains me to say it.