Re: Chama Steam engine placement

So one question might be is there a historical precedent for the DRGW using a third engine midtrain.
There is. The D&RGW Time Table specified that in three-engine trains, two locos would be on the point and one pushing on the rear. However, if you look in Norwood's books, you'll see a few photos (p. 226 of "Rio Grande Narrow Gauge," for example) that show two locos, a few cars, and a third loco. You can also find photos of one engine up front, and one in the middle (p. 227).
I don't remember how we arrived at the three-engine arrangement (in my correspondence with Earl, it just "appears" that way). I assume that the major factor was, as you say, authenticity. But there were probably practical factors as well - we wanted to minimize switching at Cumbres, we had to send one loco and five cars on to Antonito after arriving Cumbres, and get the rest of the train back in position in Chama for the next day's departure.
As it was, the train got back late on Friday (the photographers were bussed back from Coxo), and we cancelled the night photo session so that the crews could get some sleep after servicing the locos.
A second question might be....does it matter. Because it clearly makes for some dramatic pictures.
As Les says, it all depends on your goals. When David Rogers was bringing his British tours to Chama, we'd sit in his home in Huddersfield and discuss consists - his goal was to position the locos to be as photogenic as possible, I would always point out that "the D&RGW didn't do it that way." He didn't care " />
Finally, as I've said before, they weren't "my" trips. Without Greg, Kathi, Danah, Steve Glischinski, Earl, Carmen, Joe Vigil, and the entire C&TS staff, they wouldn't have been as successful as they were.
(Oh, and the 90 or so folks who came from as far away as Austria, and wrote very large checks.)
JAC