I think last year or the year before there was a Chama-Cumbres option for $29.00 as I recall. You rode the train to Cumbres, and bus back. I guess they don't do that anymore. Reason is that they would rather fill the seat with a higher paying passenger than $29.00 and let them ride the whole line.
In my mind the answer is variety. You have the long trips and the short trips. See how it goes, and if there is not enough to fill a train for the longer trips, cut back the number of operating days, which will save on operating expenses. If you run 2 trips to Chama in a day and can get the same revenue as a trip across the whole line then you are breaking even to some degree.
There are pitfalls with every scenario, like someone else mentioned, the Osier food and concessions is now skipped. Of course they could have more concessions on the train, where there is a captive audience, or something in Chama at the depot, which I have felt should have been done from day one. Concessions could be sold to folks who walk-up and buy tickets, like in Durango for instance. Potential profits not realized!!!!
Variety is the spice of life, and the more train options, including short rides the better. In my business I love steam, and thats what got me into videos. However, I realised that there are those who enjoy other things besides steam excursions, and now offer a variety of subjects. Variety helps!
Many of the problems discussed are not done due to infrastructure. Not enough engines to make a new train, unless it was the helper engine. Then what if one breaks down, you are short of power!
But there is not enough many for a 4th engine, and maybe not enough to keep the 3 running they already have, so experiments may be a long time down the road, as the C&TS simply tries to keep afloat for another year. Sounds familiar, eh!
All ideas are informative, but until someone in power recognizes them, they don't mean squat!
Greg
