Durango and Silverton on Roller Bearings

Ron Travis · **Joined:** Sun May 15, 2005 2:22 pm **Posts:** 1543

Dave wrote:

Ron Travis wrote:

Dave wrote:

Oh fer chrissake.......

D&S is essentially a lightweight transit system operating to provide tourists scenic transportation between entertainment destinations. dave

Is that all they do?

What about preserving the authenticity of historical narrow gage steam railroading so riders can experience it as they are transported between their entertainment destinations?

The technology is a stage set for the experience. This is a historically themed and branded tourist attraction, not a preservation project. The preservation is incidental to their purpose, not the purpose itself. I'm thrilled that they are proving that - at least with enough other stuff like scenery to look at - it is worth maintaining the historic character as a vital component, even if it isn't dead-nuts authentic down to the rivet heads.

I'm not sure any operating museum - not to mention tourist railroad - has not compromised with absolute authenticity for the sake of programming. The success of D&S should be the envy of many of them.

dave

Yes, but I think it pays to stand on principal even if authenticity cannot be maintained down to the last rivet head.

I agree that preservation alone is not the core purpose, but as you say, D&S is an historically themed and branded tourist attraction. Historical authenticity is part of the brand, so it ought to be preserved. I would say that historical authenticity is most of the brand. Changing to roller bearings is not the straw that will break the camel’s back, but one thing leads to another. It is a matter of degree, but there is a slippery slope to be concerned about.

The D&S does have spectacular scenery, and could very easily find its identity as a modern scenic railway with sleek electric trains and a full array of onboard amenities. The societal trend is moving in that direction. Looking at scenery could easily become the main attraction with the train being incidental. Looking at scenery while leaving the automobile behind could become the objective with rail becoming the method. If the brand shifts far enough in that direction, it could easily expunge the dirty old steam locomotives as being inconsistent with the fresh air, mountain environmental experience.

robertmacdowell · **Posted:** Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:44 pm

The difference between a historic museum and a themed attraction is that one of them is entitled to 501(c)(3) nonprofit status... and one is not.

Durango and Silverton on Roller Bearings

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