What's the difference between D&S and C&TS?

With the end of another D&RG Narrow Gauge season fast approaching and numerous Internet expressions of a clear difference of opinion on the C&TS performance relative to the D&S, I got to thinking about the differences between the two lines, and some changes that could be made to the C&TS to help guest satisfaction and improve word-of-mouth as well as return trips.

Comparing the D&S and C&TS Trips

• same equipment from the casual tourist point of view (ok, D&S cars are more historic, but ballast isn't " />)
  • difference in colors
  • better track/ride in D&S
  • more freedom of movement on C&TS


• roughly same ride time on pre-lunch and after-lunch trips
  • 48 miles one way on the D&S, 9.25 hrs, 2.25 hr lunch
  • ~30 miles one way on the C&TS, 6.5 hrs., 1 hr lunch


• multiple choices of rides
  • departure times on D&S -- same trip
  • choice of direction/return options on C&TS
  • no bus trip on D&S
  • optional bus trip on C&TS


• lunch options
  • lots of choice in Silverton
  • little choice in Osier
  • lots of shopping! in Silverton
  • almost no shopping in Osier
  • lots of manmade and natural scenery in Silverton
  • a creek, big hills, some historic rail facilities, and ... a generator and propane tank in Osier


• prices are comparable


• overall scenery is comparable
  • Animas river vs. Toltec Gorge and tunnels
  • touristy scenery north of Durango vs. high desert west of Antonito
  
  
• overall train ride is comparable
  • charters available
  • special rides (Thomas on D&S, Cinder Bear on C&TS)
  • authentic rider and facilities
  • historical preservation on C&TS


• other tourist opportunities
  • both have a few nearby shops to kill 30 minutes before and after the trip
  • D&S -- lots of choice for evening meal
  • C&TS -- now that Vera's is gone, Foster's?
  • D&S -- lots of stuff to do on second and third day
  • C&TS -- horse back rides on second day

I think after looking at these, there are three things working against the C&TS: first, the "family gets bored on the long ride" syndrome applies to both runs; second, the bus trip is insane for all but 'hardened' railfans; and third, there is very little to keep folks around for a second or third day. The first issue should be easy to improve on -- identify what's different between the two and do something about it. The second issue is easily fixed with a small schedule change. The third issue is harder, and probably has limited potential for improvement (and almost nothing could be done by the railroad itself).

Boredom is Bad

The "family gets bored" syndrome isn't a time thing, it's directly tied to the lack of activity. I haven't heard people complain (at least not loudly) that the D&S ride is too long. There has to be something going on besides time. Lets compare the two on a high level:

• The D&S has the trendy, yet historic Durango station to depart from, the C&TS has a historic station in Chama, and a somewhat trendy station in Antonito
• The trains sound alike (same whistles, same chug-chug, same clickety-clack)
• The D&S has lots of "in-town" time where there are people to wave at and stuff to watch, on the C&TS the Cumbres side has some road crossings for fun, but the re is scenery the whole way from both ends
• 9+ hours on the D&S, 6+ on the C&TS
• The D&S has a great ride, the C&TS is different but equally great
• The D&S stops in Silverton, the C&TS stops in Osier...

...oops, I think we found the problem!
Lets discuss the difference between Silverton and Osier, at least as the casual tourist sees the situation, and how it creates the primary negative impact to the C&TS experience.

Lunch

In Silverton, you can actually choose your dining experience. From my trips there, food quality varies from the traditional really bad to nearly excellent. The Osier food has always been acceptable and apparently has been better in recent years; generally the meal itself isn't a differentiator. The big difference is in the choosing. Silverton makes choosing a place to eat part of the experience -- Osier trades the fun of choosing for a waiting line.
If you don't give them choice about which building to eat in, you should at least give them choices about where to sit. A choice of upstairs or downstairs isn't really a good choice. The dining hall noise and comfort is an issue, and should be addressed by creative use of plants, decorations (maybe water fixtures and/or some form of platform or other three dimensional dividers). A nice sky-sail umbrella with patio and outdoor tables west or south of the building would be another good change.
To expand visitor choice, perhaps a beef-and-beans plate or bowl of chili served from a chuck wagon dutch oven might be an interesting alternative, another good choice might be fry bread or other native dish.

Poking Around After Lunch

The other differentiator is the poking around town and shopping experience. Silverton is always going to win this contest, but when I think about past trips to Osier, there are at least two or three things that could be done to make things a lot more fun "after lunch":

• some form of western activity (after all, the corrals are there, there's a rough road across the Los Pinos, and a stagecoach or hayride down the hill, across the river, up the other side, and back would be fun for those who have never done such.


• a story teller or two in period dress would be a great addition -- one for kids, one for adults?


• music (think Sons of the Pioneers in one spot and tribal music (Ute, Apache, Navajo, Tewa?) in another spot


• sales kiosks sprinkled around: music with the musicians, a blacksmith/tinker selling trivets, and other bits of western hardware, maybe a quilter or native blankets("Eek... soot on my new quilt!?")

I think if you added these few experiences, it would make a huge improvement in the overall ride "after-effect" for non-railfans. There's enough space and buildings at Osier to support the movement to-and-fro for an hour or so, and the cost to add such things would probably be supported by the revenue -- the musicians could cover their costs via music sales, and the other kiosks could either be run on consignment by the railroad or by half-retired folk who are creative.
You might also be able to return the "short stop" in Sublette and Cumbres Pass. On at least our first couple of rides years ago, we had the opportunity to hop off in Sublette or Cumbres and stretch our legs. This was fun for us, but at least in the case of Sublette, might make for a horrible news story of "train loses rider to bear, funeral on tuesday". I think with onboard docents and a temporary "station master" this might be restored as a useful extension.
As far as whether the financial opportunity is there, ask any of the Chama or Antonito businesses if they'd be happy with 200+ bodies added to their daily business foot traffic. The Osier kiosks will be profitable, and they'll actually improve the Chama and Antonito business conditions because the visitors will still be excited when they get off the train 3 hours later. Foot traffic will increase, and dollars spent per visitor will also increase (ask anybody... happy customers buy stuff).

The Dreaded Bus Trip

I didn't ride this year, and I might be wrong, but the 'normal' train ride has been a through trip, hasn't it? Any time a through train operates you create a horrible problem, because it forces a bus trip or overnight stay on the 'wrong' end. Bus trips, along with overnight stays (with nothing to do and no way to do it) all invoke the terrible "I'm tired, I'm dirty, I hate this, I'm never coming back here" frenzy.
If the railroad is forced to continue one train a day, I would definitely use an up-and-back model, and *no buses*. Depart from and return to Chama on M-W-F-S, Antonito on T-T-S-S. If you, the hardened railfan, want to see the other end, drive over the hill and ride a second day. Most tourists aren't gonna care about repeating the scenery goodness (clearly they don't mind up-and-back on the D&S) and for those who do the C&TS should provide a discounted 2nd day trip ticket. Three locomotives make this easy -- run two trips on Saturday (like the old days) double heading a Cumbres turn with a few cars on the shortened return leg; use the meet in Osier to swap the Antonito engine back to Chama for regular maintentance (like the old days). You might want to provide buses for the few through riders on Saturday, but I'd try and avoid that if possible.

Overnight Visitor Retention

As far as reasons to hang around at either end, I certainly can stay for weeks at a time (and have), but most tourists aren't into camping at Trujillo Meadows or the Conejos River and driving the backcountry day after day. With limited opportunities beyond short horse back rides and scenery, I think local businesses are pretty much out of luck. Without the construction of a golf course, or other resort facilities, I would expect the *vast* majority to do what they've always done -- get off the train, hop in the car, pick up a Blizzard at DQ, and drive to Santa Fe, Taos, Pagosa Springs, or Alamosa.
You certainly could put together something to keep them busy the night before or after their train ride if you did nightly rodeos, chuck wagon dinner experiences, or pow-wows. That's pretty intensive for every night (or even every other night if you are doing one train a day), but would be a valuable financial incentive to local motels and restaraunts. It might even make a permanent return of the steakhouse at the wye or Vera's possible.

Cost and Benefit

I think the first two changes are easily accomplished, at least on a trial basis. The third is a function of community organization and participation, often in short supply in Chama and Antonito.
If you make the Osier changes, do it on a commission/consignment basis with a small base salary. Don't start small, start with everything and some small financial guarantee to any folks who make the committment to drive and work in Osier for two hours. With the additional activity, you could extend the lunch stop by a half hour or more and still promote an improved and positive experience (to say nothing of enhancing revenue through sales of merchandise). Since the 9+ hour D&S trip escapes the "too long" mantra, I think a 7 hour C&TS trip with the enhanced activities would also be viable. In addition, the extended time means that people can choose to "eat first and shop later" or "let's check this out and then we'll grab a bite to eat", spreading out the burden on serving staff and hopefully eliminating most of the lines in the dining hall.
I'd definitely make the up-and-back on alternate day trip changes and stop running the buses-- they are expensive to run, don't generate revenue, and have an adverse effect on the perceived ride quality. Any extension to the ride time that doesn't directly improve the "activity level" of riders is a bad thing.
Shopping, riding a horse or stagecoach, watching people do things, listening to music, are all good, sitting in a chair, vegitating, or waiting for your turn in line are all bad. Kyle did a great job running the train -- GB did a great job attracting riders. It seems like the current operators could draw on history, observe their successful neighbors and do both.
As part of the cost/benefit analysis, have the docents and station staff poll riders after each trip, asking about ride quality, value, high and low points, things they'd like to see changed, etc. If they're repeat visitors, ask them if they noticed changes or improvements, and if they liked them. Ask everybody for suggestions, as well. For everybody who participates, give them a small token of appreciation (even a nice postcard would be acceptable).
Once again, I prove to the world that I have too much time on my hands, but I still think that the powers-that-be should seriously consider making these changes.
Tom Stewart