Well said, Rod, and I couldn't agree more. That being said, I also agree that the two projects mentioned - the covered car storage and the interpretative center - have a lot of merit. But both will significantly alter the historic fabric of the C&TS. Now the question must be asked and answered is whether the proposed changes are worth the cost to this fabric.
Hopefully, these two projects will probably have to run the gauntlet of historical review before any changes are made. At least I hope so.
One item that was mentioned was putting the covered storage in Antonito. In my opinion this has a lot going for it. First, it would be in a non-historic location, and second, it would be close to where most of the heavy maintenance is done on the rolling stock.
The visitors center is a horse of a different color. This has the potential of doing considerable damage to the historic fabric, no matter how well intentioned the idea is. And I don't see any ready solution. I'm very skeptical at the proposed scope and location.
Here's hoping that through this venue, and others, that these ideas remain only that until they receive a fair and impartial hearing before anything is cast in concrete. I plead that the Commission not be stampeded into a rush to judgement. This is far, far to important.
One of the strengths of the C&TS is the retention of at least some of the nitty gritty aspects of narrow gauge railroading. With all due respect, one only has to look as far as Durango to see what can happen when well meaning people play fast and loose with history.
CJ