Re: Scan #2

Roger, in your Scan #2, at the far left of view #1 you see the location of the log bunk house. The "proposed" site of the "proposed" visitor's center is to the left of the bunkhouse, but tucked up further in the hillside near Terrace Ave. This is the location that the New Mexico SHPO and the Commission at that time years ago worked out. I am SURE that this and other locations will be considered before any of the agencies involved will sign off on this.

I imagine that the west wall will be some sort of a retaining wall as the upper level is to be accessible to the sidewalk on Terrace. As you can see looking at the drawing, the "proposed" building will be about as far from the oil loading docks as the log bunk house is today. I would 'guess' at least 40 feet or more. This in NO WAY encroaches into the north yard, and will (in my opinion), give a better overhead view of the area.

The whole purpose of the building to to teach our visitors the story of the railroad in a interesting way and make their visit to the CATS more enjoyable so they will want to come back and tell others. To quote Bo here, "to put butts in the seats", to make the existence of the operational railroad possible for the future. The railroad cannot keep running back to the states each year asking for more money and not show improvement in ridership and income or some day, they might pull the plug.

I hesitated to talk any more about the "proposed" building because of the grilling I got a few days ago over it, but I wanted to share what I 'believe' is correct information about it.