Re: Find a Sugar-Daddy or Remain a Poor Orphan

Steffan, I have heard this argument for the last 35 years. It does not hold water. The destruction of the historic yards at Durango was begun by the Denver and Rio Grande Western at and even before the cessation of freight service to Alamosa and Farmington. The reverse loop through the heart of things historic literally destroyed anything of historical significance as the water tank and coal tipple were torn down for the sake of expedience. When Bradshaw took over there were already a lot of things missing that would have given the historical "feel" of the ancient days. What he and Harper inherited they have maintained with the exception of the freight yards which were no longer needed and on property way too valuable to leave as an impractical eight block long museum! When the roundhous burned the reconstructed facility utilized as much of the original walls as they could and built the replacement structure to resemble the original. I call that pretty significant historical restoration. They could have called General Steel and built a multi-bay modern engine house but they didn't. Yes, they built a fence but in this litigous era it makes excellent business sense to do so. And much of the fence was built using restored and repainted 3000 class boxcars that otherwise would have rotted on sidings and spurs. Whether you like where they are or not, they are well preserved.
The Durango and Silverton is an excellent historical representation and augmentation of the narrow gauge tourist operation on the Silverton Branch. I am very tired of C&TS supporters decrying it's position at THE premier tourist railroad operation in the Colorado Rocky Mountain region.
John West, I agree with you. The Sugar Daddy will not only have to be rich but be a dedicated railfan, who loves the C&TS enough and has resources enough to not worry much about profit and loss. A major money maker it could become but probably not for many years and immediate or even short term return on investment cannot be a consideration. Feroquinologist Philanthropy is what is needed, not Profit Seeking.
And you're right, John. It is only because we care that any of this matters.