Good walls make good enemies - Robert Frost.
In the building of the Georgetown Loop, the GLR held several public events/functions. The Colorado Historical Society helped organize and sponsor these events. Locals from Silver Plume and Georgetown were invited, along with a variety of others. This helped get the people together that invested time and money into the project with everyone else involved. It helped get people face to face and understand the human nature of the railroad.
In August every year, the GLR sponsers a train for the locals. It's a free ride for that trip, and the train stops so everyone can enjoy a picnic lunch.
On the D&S, they sponser local days also for both the residents of Durango and Silverton. The D&S runs a special train up to Silverton for this event. The D&S also has celebrations in Durango, which they invite locals to.
In the spirit of "may I suggest" ... May I suggest that the new D&RG organize an event for people to get together. A dinner/lunch of sorts. It will take away the walls built by the press, bits and pieces said by the D&RG, and possibly avoid some litigation. Ya never know, you might even meet a few investors at the event. With this, D&RG would only pay upfront costs. They could also avoid possible legal costs.
May I also suggest offering speeder trips to locals - no charge. OK, insurance and all that good stuff. Figure it out and do something a little extra to win a few people over in Creede. Give a little to get a little ... or a lot.
Disregarding all the great technical and historical trivia we like to fill our heads with, tourist railroading is for fulfilling a social human nature factor in us. I'm sure Don Shank could make more money with less headache elsewhere. Bring the people together ... face to face. The D&RG is the one the needs to make that happen.
