Web Cam Thoughts-No Free Lunch

[Tim Tennant]

As most of you have seen in an earlier post today, our Chama Yard cameras are down on account of issues with lightning. When they go down from time to time we of course receive telephone calls from folks telling us they are out. Some of these calls come from Friends members and others do not. Sometimes the callers or those that e-mail are not real pleasant in delivering their message. As I have stated to a few individuals, the people who work on these cameras are volunteers. We try and fix the problem asap and get the cameras operational. Even with the volunteer efforts of a number of Friends members, there was a cost to install this system plus the continuing maintenance. There is no free lunch. Donors were generous to help pay for the equipment and we do sell some advertising space. However, when lightning strikes somethings have a tendency to fry and then we have to replace costly parts. The point we are trying to make is that this all costs money. If you are a Friends member then you are doing your part to support this service and of course our valued advertisers do their share. If you are not a Friends member but enjoy the luxury of viewing our cameras then you should consider becoming a member or maybe make a small donation towards our camera maintenance. For those who have contributed in the past we say "thank you." We appreciate your patience as we work on restoring the cameras to operational condition.

[Craig Kumler]

Hi Tim: Maybe the time has come to make the cameras a benefit of "Friends" membership?

[Allan Kirkpatrick]

An interesting thought.
However...The the cams just might bring in new members by what they see....
Any other thoughts?

[Steve Forney]

How about a subscription plan?
60 minutes per month free with commercials
Unlimited $10 per month with commercials for non-members
Unlimited free no commercials for Friends members?

[Larry Sullivan]

I'd like to add in that I joined the Friends primarily because of the cameras. While I've had this railroad on my bucket list of things to get to since I was in the area in 2006 and rode the D&S railroad that year. Last year I found the cameras while searching around the net, and soon after decided to join the Friends. Since then I've certainly enjoyed reading through some of the Friends only sections on this forum, and have met (online) some great folks that are members. Hopefully one day I'll be there on a work session and can help with hands on work.

It's unfortunate in this day and age the people that want the freebies, are the ones that seem to complain the most -- but I think that's just a part of today's society in some ways. I think we'll see some other Friends only benefits with the cameras in the future, but certainly all options should be open for discussion.

[Steve Ritchie]

Tim,
Is there a way to contribute to the web cam fund without using a credit card?

[Rich Murray]

Having been involved with the cams from the get go I wouldn't want the cams to be restricted in any way as among their many benefits is, they bring riders to the railroad. Maybe down the road we will add enhanced features for donations but the basic coverage should remain free in my opinion.

Steve Ritchie; you could mail a check to the office (sorry I'm on the road and don't have the address on hand) or you can use Paypal

[Steve Ritchie]

Thanks Rich. I'm planning on doing that in the very near future.

[Tim Tennant]

Yes Steve just send a check to; Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Web Cam Fund, 4421 McLeod Road NE, Suite F, Albuquerque, NM 87109. Thanks for your support! Take care Steve.

[Steve Ritchie]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. Your all doing a great job of keeping those of us that love this railroad informed. Keep up the good work, Steve

[Jason Rose]

Speaking for myself here, not the Friend's leadership.

I doubt we'll make the cameras a subscription service. They're too good as a recruiting and marketing tool for the Railroad and the Friends.

However, it is very likely that we'll have some perks in the future that will be for Members only. It's also possible that (someday) there may be additional cameras that would be accessible only to members. Membership should have it's rewards.

[Craig Kumler]

Hi Jason: Sounds like a good plan to me. An Antonito camera would be great!

[Bob Schmidt]

Tim,

My company has access to CCTV camera parts at dealer rates. I'd be happy to provide parts at cost (parts & shipping) + NM GRT, if that will save the Friends some money (and assuming I can get what you need).

[Tim Tennant]

Bob, thanks and Jason Rose is the technical guy along with John Engs. You could work through those guys so I'll kind of hand this one off to them. We really appreciate your offer. John Engs will be working on the system early next week.

[Mike Neale]

Any update on the web cams? I would like to make a contribution via pay pal...can you advise me of the email address for this

thanks

Mike

[Jason Rose]

It's going to be a bit longer. We've got some lightly toasted hardware.

I should know more next week.

[Larry Sullivan]

It's going to be a bit longer. We've got some lightly toasted hardware.

I should know more next week.

Thanks Jason - I had a gut feeling it would be more than just the cable, hoped I was wrong. Thanks again to all involved with the work fixing things up.