The drier autumn months will present another challenge. As the season moved from spring to summer, ridership remained good after the first weeks of heightened public interest. The closest population centers in New Mexico and Colorado remained the best source of riders, although California and Texas weighed in significantly. Overall ridership was slightly higher than projections, although it remained below the highest recorded levels. In mid-season it was decided to extend train operations another week, to October 22.
Much work remains to be done.
The full roster of locomotives must be restored to operating condition to ensure continued operations over the long term. Typically, the fall foliage season requires five locomotives in steam, a condition that will strain the line's resources in 2000. Promotion of the line to its full potential remains an open issue. The new management is exercising good judgment, but at current levels of ridership the railroad can handle additional passengers with little additional expense. Remaining to be fully developed are the historic preservation and museum functions on the property.