I find this hard to believe! As I remember things, Richardson and others reported that a group of ENTHUSIASTS were trying to save a portion of the narrow gauge from being scrapped!
Yes, I am sure politically the word "Economics" was used to satisfy the folks with the purse-strings at the time, to justify it to the states.
I simply cannot buy the premise that it was saved for the economic impact to the communities. If that were the case, they could have probably spent that same money more wisely to help the economic situations.
This was the last steam railroad to operate in the US essentially(or at least under the umbrella of a class one railroad), and coupled with the scenery and engineering aspects, the railroad was worth saving for many reasons, but saving the RAILROAD was what they were trying to do.
If the idea of saving it for economic reasons is an offshoot of it being saved, then great. I think the buyers really had in mind that a few new
jobs might be created for the railroad, but didn't anticipate having to prop-up businesses that tried to make a go of it, by starting up to feed off the railroad. Yes some spin-off economics from tourists is a good thing, but people in the community may have expected way too much as the potential for riders(read general tourists) may not be as great as some folks like to invision.
As a teenager I can remember those "Narrow Gauge News" reports by Bob Richardson, as we had a subscription at the time. It was no small task to save the 64 mile section, and for that we are all grateful. I just think there is a way to blend the history and economics and make it a win-win situation. My main thing is to preserve the Rio Grande name on objects that are authentic. The Friends already do this with their restoration of the D&RGW(Rio Grande) freight cars.
Now to complete the job the Commission needs to do the same to ALL the locomotives, water tanks, and major buildings(Heralds). This is really a small thing, but it would but a face of history on things like the locomotives, and buildings which are authentic items from that bygone era.
The coaches are another issue, but I would settle for the above, and let them decide what to do with the non-historic coaches. Whats so wrong with that idea. Most fans, and historical minded people would think its a move in the right direction. It surely would not be a negative as far as the economics is concerned.
Greg
