Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec - FriendsOfCumbresToltec.org

I'm perplexed.
What is the corporate interest in the Chama train cams? It seems that a single generous person---a volunteer from Texas---is our only source of repair and adjustment of these cameras. Am I missing something? Where is the corporation in all this? It's getting to be absurd. Either corporate should be more involved (with money) or just shut the cams down and forget about it. Please explain.
sincerely,
perplexed in Albuquerque

Wade Rogers wrote:I'm perplexed.
What is the corporate interest in the Chama train cams? It seems that a single generous person---a volunteer from Texas---is our only source of repair and adjustment of these cameras. Am I missing something? Where is the corporation in all this? It's getting to be absurd. Either corporate should be more involved (with money) or just shut the cams down and forget about it. Please explain.
sincerely,
perplexed in Albuquerque

Wade, the webcams are owned by and are the responsibility of the Friends organization. As such the C&TS RR is not at all involved in the maintenance of the equipment.
The cameras like all things connected with the Friends are maintained by volunteers and when there isn't anyone available immediately we have to practice patience to the max.
Rich

"Shut the cams down and forget about it" - I don't think so!

Thanks for your detailed explanation, Rich. Whether we're "Friends" or not ( perhaps soon to be), this gives us all home folks the reason as to why and exactly what is going on. Being patient,..............but hope Jason can get it all fixed again. And, my last question, approximately how many years have these cams been operating?

Farol Henkle wrote:Thanks for your detailed explanation, Rich. Whether we're "Friends" or not ( perhaps soon to be), this gives us all home folks the reason as to why and exactly what is going on. Being patient,..............but hope Jason can get it all fixed again. And, my last question, approximately how many years have these cams been operating?

Farol, They were installed during the summer of 2012, so 7 years.
Rich

We are replacing the network gear this fall. The cameras are working fine and will remain in place a bit longer, though we will make every effort to repair the mics.

The gear has been ordered and shipped. I should have it this evening. This weekend I'll get everything configured and tested. If it works as promised, we'll work out a plan to install it as soon as possible.

Thanks Jason for the update...looking forward to their return!

Craig Kumler wrote:Thanks Jason for the update...looking forward to their return!

It is my intention to get them restored before the end of the season. I'm dealing with a personal matter that will likely delay the trip until October.

It occurs to me that Wade may be on to something........corporate sponsorship to support the webcams. Ideas? Why not?

We have the beginnings of this idea already in place. The ads at the top of the camera page are paid by sponsors. This idea can be expanded, of course. It just requires a volunteer to do the legwork.

There's quite a bit more discussion to had on this topic, but my focus at the moment is restoring the network. After that, I'll broach the subject with the brass.

Jason - We all certainly appreciate the current sponsors and hope others see the benefits of joining the cause, I was thinking of something more substantial.......along the line of naming rights. Marketing certainly isn’t my forte, perhaps another follower here could lend some expertise? Thanks again for all you do, it’s appreciated.

Tim, I'm not sure what you mean by "naming rights"?
Do you mean something like sports stadiums that are named for something other than their team?

Rich,

Something like that, yes. I saw a TV station that had a webcam sponsored by a bank......the banks logo is on the screen when they go to the cam during the weather. Seems to be a growing trend with businesses looking for more than just a static ad or commercial.

I have no idea what the logistics would be to add such to the screen on each camera....perhaps Jason might know. I’m sure someone who is more into marketing would have ideas about who might be potential sponsors and how to structure the “opportunity”. :)

Tim

I should add, that TV station cam is always referred to as the “XYZ Bank Webcam” both in broadcasts, web pages, other advertising the station does, etc......I’m guessing it’s a contract for some period of time.....the plus for the TV station being guaranteed income for that contracted period.....the “namer” getting more exposure than just an ad.

Tim Davis wrote:Rich,

Something like that, yes. I saw a TV station that had a webcam sponsored by a bank......the banks logo is on the screen when they go to the cam during the weather. Seems to be a growing trend with businesses looking for more than just a static ad or commercial.

I have no idea what the logistics would be to add such to the screen on each camera....perhaps Jason might know. I’m sure someone who is more into marketing would have ideas about who might be potential sponsors and how to structure the “opportunity”. :)

Tim

Tim,
Good idea, if it isn’t intrusive. Running an ad on the cam windows isn’t the hard part. That would be getting the bi-state commission on board with the idea. Then who locally would want to buy the spot? As much as we love the railroad, we are a very small (relative to the total pop.) niche target group and any national advertiser wouldn’t be interested. (Unless they could write it off as a charitable donation?).

As Rich Murray mentioned the Web-Cams were installed about seven years ago as a result of a fund-raising project by the Friends to establish a Chama-yard overlay network electronically tying together the depot and lavatory building, the shop, the coal tipple, and the section house "office", The original intent was for a multiplexed network that could support video web-cams as well as voice and data communications between these facilities for use by railroad operations. Obviously, the web-cam application has been a great success thanks to on-going efforts by Jason, John Engs, and other members of the Friends. As of this writing I'm not sure of the extent to which operations has utilized this network, but the network is integrated with the railroad's electronic connections to the outside world (as you might expect that's how the video signals get out to the world).

Rich,

Maybe one of the state tourism boards would be a fit??? An argument could be made that since the railroad itself is a bi-state run project, there’s a tie in with tourism in general?

The charitable contribution angle is interesting. My wife does marketing for a credit union, she suggested that if banks, credit unions and the like have consolidated into larger conglomerates in that area, they are often looking for ways to “give back” locally and they have the resources. Or maybe a large statewide institution,....they are always looking for exposure and want to be seen as “community oriented”. For them, a few thousand a year is peanuts out of their advertising budget

Maybe others on this board have ideas? How about it everyone?

It doesn’t need to be anything intrusive, just a small logo and a line identifying it as the XYZ/Friends of the C&TS Webcam (not much more than is currently in the frame).....maybe a small companion spot ad on the webpage with a link to their page.

Tim Davis wrote:It doesn’t need to be anything intrusive, just a small logo and a line identifying it as the XYZ/Friends of the C&TS Webcam (not much more than is currently in the frame).....maybe a small companion spot ad on the webpage with a link to their page.

"Funding for this webcam donated by The Last State Bank of Oz"

More like: The Last State Bank of Oz Webcam, “Come see the Wizard!”

But that’s the idea.

Tim, I dig the idea. May I suggest running this by Tim Tenant? It'll be his decision.

Jason,

I hadn't planned on a presentation......but I'll pull something together and get it to Tim. I hear he's out of the office until Thursday so that gives me some time after I finish getting the rest of my firewood split and stacked this week.

While I don't know how many people watch the cameras, but if everyone who did donated to the camera fund a corporate fund might not be necessary. I donated $48.00, I really enjoy the cameras year round and
$4.00 a month is a bargain.
Just my thoughts, Don Borden

Don:

To answer your question and that of others, the Friends do have one advertiser back and that income does cover the annual cost to host the cameras. Through the generosity of a number of people we have the funds to cover the capital expense of approximately $5,000 for equipment that Jason alluded to. We are looking towards additional advertisers and maybe a corporate sponsor isn't a bad idea. Currently we are holding our own on funds required for ongoing operations and this recent equipment expenditure. If those that really enjoy the cameras keep in mind that a gift at the end of year for the webcams goes a long way and helps the organization to maintain a restricted fund for this specific cause. As far as ongoing repairs, that is something Jason heads up with assistance from John Engs and others. These guys are all volunteers. Now, if we start paying someone or a company to perform those duties then we will need to further build the webcam fund so as to cover those costs.

If all goes as planned, the team and I will be in Chama this weekend to install the new gear.

Great news Jason!

Jason, wishing you safe travels and success in Chama...................we appreciate all that you guys do.

Thank you, sir.

Great news Jason, hopefully the cams will come back better than ever! I am still vying for that original view, but it's not up to me.

Jack Spencer wrote:Great news Jason, hopefully the cams will come back better than ever! I am still vying for that original view, but it's not up to me.

How about we compromise with less sky and more ground, but still zoomed out for a wider view?

Jason Rose wrote:

Jack Spencer wrote:Great news Jason, hopefully the cams will come back better than ever! I am still vying for that original view, but it's not up to me.

How about we compromise with less sky and more ground, but still zoomed out for a wider view?

That sounds good to me. Adjust the N cam to get more of the coal dock while u r up there.

Tom C.

Tom Casper wrote:

Jason Rose wrote:

Jack Spencer wrote:Great news Jason, hopefully the cams will come back better than ever! I am still vying for that original view, but it's not up to me.

How about we compromise with less sky and more ground, but still zoomed out for a wider view?

That sounds good to me. Adjust the N cam to get more of the coal dock while u r up there.

Tom C.

I can do that.

If I don't forget.

Jason Rose wrote:

Jack Spencer wrote:Great news Jason, hopefully the cams will come back better than ever! I am still vying for that original view, but it's not up to me.

How about we compromise with less sky and more ground, but still zoomed out for a wider view?

There's 2 positives to that idea. Less sky = better exposure of the rest of the screen.
The first thing that hit me with the new position was we might catch the engines loading sand. Then the cameras went south.

These all sound like good ideas guys, I am not liking the thought of adjusting the North cam but less sky on the South cam sounds decent.

Jack Spencer wrote:These all sound like good ideas guys, I am not liking the thought of adjusting the North cam but less sky on the South cam sounds decent.

The north cam is pretty good as it sits but, a little tweaking to the left and down wouldn't hurt. That way more of the coaling operations would be visible at the expense of some of the right side.