Steve,
Well said. I know a lot of things have not been anywhere near perfect in the past couple of years, however it is a wonder to see the 9 running again.
I have been involved in management for several years (non-railroad) and if there is one thing I've learned is never trust a teamster (oops, did I say that!
" /> ). Jokes aside, the thing I've learned is there is no way to make everyone happy. The railroad now more than ever is in a fishbowl and there is no way to make any sort of decision that will not be second guessed and criticized from those within and outside the operation. Someone has to make the calls and have the intestinal fortitude to withstand the volley of fire that comes from those who are supposed to be supporting you.
My own personal fascination is with the San Juan Extension, and if I had my way it would look exactly as it did in the late 1940s. But that is not what sells tickets. The tourist who makes these trains run want to see what they think is authentic, not what is. How fun would any of these railroads be without the open gons, or the parlor cars, or the concession cars? The average tourist would find the long ride even more tedious and may never come back again, and give poor referrals to their friends back home. Most members of my family who are not railfans are spent at the end of the day, while I am like the dog who sticks his head out of the moving car constantly throughout the day. If you think about it, the Silverton is obviously the most successful operation in the state, yet you could have a 1925 K-36 hauling yellow coaches built in the 1960s and '80s, running on track installed in the '80s, watering at steel tanks, coaled with a front end loader and sanded at a tower built in the 21st century. How authentic is that? Authenticity does not sell as well as it should so concessions must be made or else you have nothing.
What I am saying is nothing new, but I commend you for what you are doing and trying to make the best out of a sometimes no-win situation. Good luck in the future. I am looking at relocating to Denver and if it works out I will definitely be lending my support by taking a ride or two.
Josh McNeal