Re: C&TS parlor cars

Rod,

As much as I would like to SEE the San Juan rebuilt and running, I just don't think there is enough people willing to pay the price. The biggest problem is the wooden cars and the Spirialing maintenance costs of keeping them available on the rails. That was outdated by the late fifties/early sixties man-hour costs. and certainly outrageous today. And besides, who is interested in historical authenticity, sure I'd like to ride in the authentic parlor car and play a few hands of draw poker with any sucker willing to play. How many days out of seven would I be the only paying customer because that is the experience I'm willing to pay for? No I think the good old D&RGW had the right idea in the sixties to build steel replicas of the old wooden coaches that so caught the tourists eye and pocketbook. After all they would not notice nor care that these were not original authentic cars, even though you and I do notice Rod. I thinks the family guy is the target market, not railfan me. Railfan me and 60 K others won't keep it running because the experience for us is not the riding but getting the shots only found from outside the train. Staying overnight a few days and eating at the local eateries, and drinking a few local beers.
In other words doing our best to support the local structure that keeps the trains running!