Running shorter trains can be accomplished with out hurting the bottom line in the following way.
The cost of the short ride whether it is from Antonito to Big Horn and return, or Antonito to Sublette and return, or Chama to Cumbres and return, or Cumbres to Osier and return costs the same as the basic Chama to Osier or Antonito to Osier and return.
Think of it as being like going to Knott's Berry Farm, or Six Flags, or Disneyland. There is a basic cost of admission. It doesn't matter if you just ride the Teacups once or ride Big Thunder Mtn Railroad as many times as possible in one day the cost is the same.
Any scenario in which shorter rides cost less money is "Dinosaur" "railroads are transportation thinking."
We are in the Entertainment business not the transportation business.
Customers pay to come and enjoy our "step back in time." Good customer service allows them to enjoy as much or as little as they want cost stays the same.
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John Bush