The discussion on marketing, logos, etc had many good points made. I think a key point in all this discussion is that it is the C&TS commissions job to develop the plan and then they can oversee the execution of the plan. This is where the root problem in my view of the situation lies. In fact, I recall that one of the state legislative committees called the Exec. Director to task for failing to have a business plan to support a request for funding. I understand that a master plan has been in the works for several years now but I am not sure if this contains a marketing plan. Commissioners and operators come and go; a long term business and marketing plan is what is needed to guide the decision makers and management in their tasks. Now thanks to C&TS commissioner Carl Turner and the Friends Curt Bianchi many of the enabling documents for the C&TS have been posted to the web (see link).
To bring our previous discussions full circle I submit that Jerry Day, Greg Scholl and others like myself that have been saying that the C&TS needs to embrace its D&RGW heritage can find that the enabling agreement supports our argument. I have copied the pertinent section here that I feel supports our position. There is no mention in this agreement about economic benefits to the communities as many have argued is now a reason for the Railroads existence. Further, I challenge the C&TS commission to back-up their agreement/ mission statement of operating a “museum on wheels” by lettering their collection of D&RGW motive power to conform to the spirit and principles as enumerated in its founding documents and their own mission statement.
From the July 1977 Amendment to the agreement (this document basically replaces the original RR agreement of June 1970)
Part A
General Provisions
Article I
Covenant to Purchase – Route
(1) The State of Colorado and the State of New Mexico do hereby covenant and agree to purchase, preserve and maintain, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a narrow gauge interstate railroad and adjoining properties, hereinafter referred to as the “Railroad.”
The States shall be guided in the construction, reconstruction, repair, maintenance and operation of the Railroad by the principles of preservation of the Railroad as an historic monument.
C&TS Commission Mission Statement
The commission’s mission is to preserve and develop the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, a historical nineteenth century railroad “museum on wheels,” for the education, enlightenment and enjoyment of future generations.
