Hi Scott -
Back home after a short trip to Chama.
Before getting to your questions, let me explain that the C&TS sponsors a weekly 15-minute radio program on radio station KFLH in Chama, as one of the ways we keep the communities informed about the railroad. (This is in addition to our advertisements there.) Each Friday morning Kim takes questions from the station and lets the town know how things are going. Over the summer Terri Shaw, Warren Smalley, and a few others have also participated.
The Hospitality Partners program is a joint promotion initiated between the railroad and area merchants. For a fee they receive a listing on the railroad's web site (www.cumbrestoltec.com, look under "lodging and restaurants"), in a brochure listing 2001 special events and pricing, and perhaps other promotions as well. (This is an "off-budget" item - all monies raised go into the promotion program, so the more that join, the better it will be.) We've gotten over a dozen takers so far, and expect a lot more participation in the coming weeks.
First Class cars will be done over the winter, and if all goes well will debut on Opening Day 2001. Their will be one done for each train. The level of service we are targeting is somewhere between that of the D&S's "Alamosa" and its "Nomad," roughly comparable to the Grand Canyon's first class service - carpeting, panelling, movable seating, attendant service. Pricing for the service hasn't been finalized yet, but will be by the time we present our 2001 schedule to the Commission in January. We will be advertising this service addition during the next few weeks via a mailing to 500 or so travel agents organizing tours through our area during 2001. (A Friemds member who owns a mailing service has generously offered to do this for us.)
As to the loco work, 484 and 488 will be the big projects, with some tuneup work done on 463 and 487. 497 won't need much at all. We will also ask for a flue extension on 489, and if we receive it, we should be able to start the season with 6 engines. Cross your fingers after you've written that check to the Flowers Fund!
And to reiterate what I said on the radio in Chama - a big thanks to the communities of Antonito and Chama for their support this year. I talked with over a dozen local merchants in both towns during my short trip, and every one was very supportive of what the Friends have accomplished this year (the word "lifesavers" kept coming up a lot). A couple of merchants have had an off year, most said their year was about average, and one or two hinted that this had been one of their best years ever.
And thanks to all of you - every member of the Friends who upped their membership level in 2000, joined for the first time, made a donation to the Friends, volunteered at a work session, or helped in some other way. Not only did you play a role in keeping open the most spectacular railroad in the USA, but you helped keep two communities healthy as well. You have a right to be proud of what you've done.
JAC
