What develops the fear and hatred of the change at the Georgetown Loop RR?
There was a Tourist railroad there before and there will be one later. But what many who have ridden the Georgetown Loop RR discovered that it was not just a Tourist railroad but it was a HISTORIC RAILROAD. It was an operation run by Mr. Ashby’s organization, which had a very realistic look of the past. The locomotives were accurately painted to look as their heritage dictated and the cars were painted in a manner that they could not be dated to the present.
Now, there are Tourist railroads which look the present, with irrational paint schemes to please the customers (who could care less) and not trying to be an accurate representation of the past. Disney World in one example.
And then there are Historic railroads that try to get the tourist dollars but do it with history and a proper representation of the past. The more accurate ones have been the most successful in this country, and they do not use red paint on their engine. The D&SNG is a partial example of this, but NN, and Cass are true cases. There are many other lines that would be fine examples.
When I just viewed the two drop bottom gondolas just rebuilt for the Historic Georgetown Loop RR it give me fears of what that new operation will look like.
The cars have number placement different than ever used on any narrow gauge equipment (RR have rules where they are to be placed), handrails and foot steps irons are all painted white in a style never used on the narrow gauge. In condensed words, they look like the present and are there by dated, not being the undated look of the past history of the real narrow gauge.
What we fear is the loss of a Historic RR by being replaced by a Tourist Railroad, owned by an organization, which has restricted more distribution of history with their high photograph reproduction prices. CHS is worst than most historical societies. Just try to research Railroad history records at CHS and see how many roadblocks they put up against the rail historians, beside the price. After decades, they have not even made good index of the records, with excuse of lack of funds. (Hellooo). They are like wanting to have the history for the year 2205 instead of 2005. They should be at the service for today interest level, not 200 years from now! That is why the hatred against the CHS and why most would like to see the outfit Crash and Burn.
