Proposed Contractor for the C&TSRR
Finally a WIN-WIN opportunity
A very recent report by an anonymous source close to the rail commission has stated that Bachman Trains Ltd is very interested in taking over the management of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. They have proposed two different plans to not only bring the railroad into a profitable attraction but also eliminate the pollution that is so prevalent with the coal fired locomotives.
Plan A
Completely gut the engines leaving only the outer shell to keep that nostalgic look of long ago. On the inside of the boiler hull mount a large electric motor with proper gearing to turn the drivers. The electricity would be supplied through the track as a normal HO gauge train would be. Each car would also be motorized to assist with the needed power to climb the needed grade. The Chama shop would be converted to a large power transformer and connected to the track. The scale of this unit would be determined at a later date.
Plan B (preferred)
Completely gut the tender and locomotive while leaving a cover of fake fiberglass coal where the top of the load would normally be. The tender would then be filled with batteries and a drive shaft connected to the electric motor in the locomotive hull. As the engine turned the drivers, they would be attached to generators which would in turn recharge the batteries. There would also be solar cells attached to strategic areas that can not be seen. These would be used to power the lights, whistle and the small automatic nontoxic smoke generator (fake smoke). Each passenger car would be equipped with a solar cell to run a small helper motor first, the air conditioning and heater unit as needed.
The Osier stop could be powered by hooking into the track (plan A), or by having the locomotive drop an extra lead onto a circuit laid next to the track beginning at 30 minutes out in each direction.
Plan B would bring in many different federal and state grants for using alternative power sources. There would also be EPA grants for clean air and innovational ideas. Finally the dreaded Forest Service “to dry to run” excuse would become mute.
Considering both plans it has been leaked that the Commission is very serious about looking into these proposals. The improved health of the inhabitants at both ends of the track and especially those riding the train are a major concern for the state. The environment will benefit, as well as all of the local wildlife. Rider ship will greatly increase because the railroad will now appeal to the model railroad crowd. Imagine not just running ones own railroad but actually riding on a new scale train.