Steve,
Having not read the Colorado Timetable, I will just address the salient points of your post.
IF I were the concessionaire, here is how I would counter. I would request 30% of the NET profits in order to maintain and improve my part of the property. Remember, Net is the key word, that's after maintenance, upkeep, wages, taxes, tributes, vigorish, etc.
The rest of the 70% of the net I would turn over to the CHS. Why? Because since I am concessionaire and have to employ my own people for my own portion of the operation, I see no reason to encumber my work force with the accounting that the CHS wants for disribution to Plume and G.Town. After all, if it's their idea, let them implement it. On a more practical and telling plane, I would like to see what happend wien the local CHS people get whatever profit in their hot little hands. Will it go to the communities? I sincerely doubt it. Money in hand has a way of skewing peoples perspectives to a great degree. Altruism usually goes right out the window.
Also, the statement abbout no tie plates is absolute rubbish. When the C&S upgraded portions of the Clear Creek lines, they used any where from 57 to 85 lb rail depending on what was available. What went underneath it? Tie Plates, of course. I can prove this statement with a federal document that the CHS has never read, those being the field notes from the 1916 C&S Valuation. If the CHS is so stupid as to want to shorten the tie life of the loop, then maybe the will want to go back to pine, spruce and fir ties instead of the hardwood ties currently in use. This will give them the authentic sagging, swaying and wide gauge (and hence derailments) of the original line. Since the effective life of the ties will be shortened by about 2/3, they can also spend more. Oh Yes, to make it more authentic, we can also go back to the 36-40lb rails, which will give the tourists another thrill with rail breaks and insufficient support for the equipment that they are operating. Maybe they can get Oregon Steel's Minnequa mill to make them a special run at cubic bucks.
After that, let's go back to cast Iron boilers and Iron rail. That ought to be a real thrill when they stress crack.
All in all, what the RFP proposes is short sighted, ignorant and shows the true lack of understanding that the CHS has when it comes to operating an actual business. They are lucky to have had the GTL for all those years.
Bye the way... Some friends in Central City told me that the CHS contacted them about operating the 71 on the Loop. Central City declined. After the last operator got through with the 71, it needs a whole new boiler.
Rick
