I believe we are all in agreement that there is a need for a Chama visitors/ interpretive/ museum facility. The question then is one of location. The Friends have defined the criteria for this facility which included the requirements of the NPS and the American Association of Museums. It was also stated in the Friends press release ”It should be noted that a number of alternate locations were reviewed and considered, but at this point none of them are as attractive as the north yard location (adjacent to the log bunk house) when measured against the key criteria.”. This location also is supported by the Commission’s own 1994 visual and expansion plan.
As John West has shown in the photos he has shared, many of us wish we could just stop time 40 years ago in 1968 (or earlier) and keep everything in place exactly as it was back then. Realistically that was an impossibility for as soon as the last D&RGW revenue train departed Chama everything was irrevocably changed in that the reason for its original existence had ended. My point being is now the RR has an entirely different reason for operating 40 years later and the realities of its current continued existence have required changes that regretfully require compromise(s) to what John recorded 40 + years ago. The real issue then in my mind is not the location of where the visitors center, Chama car repair building, covered car storage etc. is to be located in the coming years but what is it exactly that we are trying to preserve?
I refer you to two panoramic views of the yard for reference. BTW these were taken before the “gentrification” of downtown Chama and the addition of the large 2 story structure uphill from the depot. Unfortunately? the proposed location for the visitor’s center is just out of these views.
Note: You can pan and zoom these images.
Don Bain virtual guidebooks
Chama Terrace Avenue/Yard Pan
Chama Yard Pan
