Sorry, Mr. Ferrell, but with all due respect, I don't agree with this at all, but you raise an interesting aspect of the issue at hand.
The "gutting" of the yard back in the 60's was done because of the upcoming highway redevelopment project that is now evident, and because the line was continuing to evolve into the profitable entity we have seen over the last 30 years. Same for the McDonalds. The Private Car track was relocated because of that, but the McDonalds was put there primarily to serve the patrons of the Railroad. That is just good business.
Historians often lose track of the fact that the Silverton Branch has not only been succesful in the last 40 years, it has been the ONLY continuously profitable link of the old narrow gauge since it was built in the 1880's.
Sure, I'd prefer to be able to go down and tramp around in the yard like I used to in the old days, but those were the old days, and they are gone.
The point not to be missed in all this is that the railroad has continued to thrive into the 21st century by doing what needed to be done, not by doing what private interests wanted over the years.
By the way, if the Coal Tower had not been removed in the 60's, you can bet it would have had to be taken down years ago for safety reasons. As you may know, the Sand House had to be taken down a couple of years ago. None of those structures were built to last 100 years.
The events you refer to aren't shameful, they are evolution. To lock oneself in the past, even if it's the 60's, doesn't make any more sense than arguing that the world went to Hell with the invention of the automobile.
It doesn't matter that there is a McDonalds or that the equipment is lettered D&S or even that Thomas the Tank Engine has appeared in Durango. What matters is that the line is still there, and still operating profitably. It's 2005, and counting......
