I appreciate all the points made thus far in this discussion.
Inasmuch as Bob's suggestion for a recreated San Juan Express seems a bit premature for the struggling-to-its-feet C&TS, he has a very worthwhile project in mind. Because it has been established that much of the needed equipment for the recreated train is cherished by other owners, we can probably expect it to never be a collection of equipment permanently stored at the Cumbres or anywhere else. And because of priorities, we can probably expect that no funds generated on the C&TS will go toward financing a venture for railfans and historical recreations. Perhaps dollars in general are better invested in the preservation of Gato and the dreams of the Friends of the San Juan Extension, than in a flash-in-the-pan railfan event.
These things noted, precedent can be found for having the San Juan Express - visiting narrow guage equipment. Granted, the Eureka is owned by a wealthy railfan and has no long railroad to call home, but when it travels, it draws out crowds to experience it. The same goes for the geese.
I don't expect the Friends of the C&TS to invest in other owner's equipment, but perhaps a photogenic, if not authentic, version of the San Juan Express might be created by convincing the right investors (perhaps donors) and the respective equipment owners to all take part in a little project that would involve trucking equipment around for a while and some repainting. Like a Civil War reenactment, this event would be a photo opportunity and tourist draw that needs some sort of collection from the audience to make it happen.
More than whether it can happen, I think the question Bob Yarger really is asking is if there is anyone out there who would like to coordinate all the ifs ands or buts, how tos, and in general be the PT Barnum of the historic narrow guage circle?
O.
