At lunch I thought of this way to utilize the helper engine more profitably. I am sure it will meet with a lot of negative concerns but here goes anyway.
Sell tickets for a photo freight that operates from Cumbres to Osier and return. Make this on Saturday or Sunday when you are 90% sure a helper is needed anyway for the passenger train from Chama. Then engine is already there(Cumbres), so take water, and couple onto a 10-15 car display freight in the Cumbres Siding. Have a conductor and Brakeman show up for duty at noon, inspect the train, and board passengers.
Make sure what the minimum number of riders needs to be to make it pay (Guess 20 at $100.00 each = $2,000)or it doesn't operate. It could be a weekly event or both Sat/Sun during colors.
It doesn't deplete the passenger coaches needed for the regular trains, and provides an interesting alternate train for customers. Meet the train at Los Pinos, then go to Osier and turn on the loop. It will be something for the regular train riders to experience, as they see it also.
Budget time for 5 to 7 photo locations, and either eat lunch at Osier after the regular trains are gone, or get it to go there or box lunches. Running time to Osier is about an hour, and this part of the railroad is largely open for photo lines, and is scenic as well.
Riders could leave cars at Cumbres or ride to and from on buses. Make it so that the crew time works out a bit later than the regular trains.
Some patrons may want to ride the regular train, from say Antonito to Chama or Osier one day, and the freight the next day, meaning folks have an alternative. This might also be something for the fans to combine with their trip.
I could go on with more on this scenario but this post is already too long. What are your thoughts?
Greg Scholl