Steve Williams Wrote:
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> 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 cap-
> sule that it is. The whole railroad was saved not
> just to be a historic landmark,
but first and fore-
>
most to generate economic dollars to help
>
the {surrounding} communities . . .
At which mission the C&TS has been quite successful, BTW. IIRC, the railroad brings more than 5 Million Dollars annually into Rio Arriba County N.M. and Conejos County, CO — two of the poorest counties in the entire United States. This is more than double what the two states spend supporting the railroad, a two-for-one return on investments that would otherwise have to be met with welfare payments, etc.
> 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
. . .
IMHO, that's not entirely true. IIRC, much as The Friends would like to raise funds and restore the snowshed at Cumbres to its 1960's configuration, apparently they are prevented from doing this because the State histœric bozos believe its current dilapidated condition is somehow more "accurate", even though the structure was entirely intact when the railroad was purchased in 1970 . . . ???
> Much as I would
not like diesels at either
> location, the casual tourist would accept a
> ride
on {behind} a diesel, vs. no ride at all.
> The viability of the operation now and in the
> future should outweigh {strict} authenticity,
> as much as it pains me to say it.
I agree, Steve -
Especially when the deviations (such as converting a steam engine or two to oil fuel, or replacing grease-block lubrication with oil cellars) are not readily apparent to the majority of patrons. OTOH, using diseasel locomotives any more than the absolute minimum necessary to keep either railroad operational is NOT something that I am at all in favor of.
- El Abuelo Histœrico, Greengo y Curmudgeoño de los Locomoturas Viejos y Verdes,
aka Der Grossväterlich DünkelOlivGrünDampfKesselMantelLiebHabender
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/03/2020 10:56AM by Russo Loco.