After reading all the posts about peoples first experiences with the railroad and night trips, I came up with a possible scenario for doing the night train over the railroad.
First you need someone who wants to do a photo charter for one day only, and the charter has to be across the whole railroad from Antonito.
Thus a deadhead move to get the freight train to Antonito is required at least a day before. So for the sake of arguement lets say some folks want to do both trips, so we need a day off in between.
Earlier in the week: Eastbound trains drop several freight cars at Cumbres as capacity allows.
Day one: Sometime after super, say 8 or 9 pm, train leaves Chama with some freight, a caboose, and a few passenger cars, for that nights charter.
Whatever they can pull up the hill, or pay extra for a helper(mid-train helper would be awesome at night to Cumbres). The mixed train would be weird looking, but who cares...its dark anyway, and the point is the night ride. Pick-up freight at Cumbres, and allow folks a chance to watch and stretch their legs. Then single engine takes the whole works east making stops in Osier and Sublette perhaps for service and perhaps even a short night runby for kicks. Arrive Antonito around 4-6 am.
Day two...day off, prepare for freight charter and night riders can rest up a bit.
Day three...Photo freight from Antonito, taking only the freight cars and caboose the length of the line for the entire day(in daylight).
Sounds like something for the C&TS scheduling department....Anyone else like this scenario!
Greg (always scheming ) Scholl