That includes having newer vehicles for park employees, more roadway to take an automotive tour of the original railroad bed, new viewing stands to look inside the old locomotives on display, a better water system and more money for upkeep of the railroad still used today.

The park also added a full-time archaeologist. "He's quite busy," Crossen said, overseeing more than 300 sites that include camps where Chinese and Irish railworkers stayed during construction of the rail line.

In months ahead, Crossen said, the vacant positions of superintendent and full-time mechanic should be filled, and work will continue on improving walking and biking trails in the area.

Capitol Reef

The national monument lost three full-time-equivalent employees between 2003 and 2007, while visitation increased by 3.6 percent. Superintendent Al Hendricks said a few vacancies were transfers and that those positions will be filled.

The park's operating budget increased 7.9 percent from 2003 to 2007, only about 62 percent of inflation. Hendricks said cost of living increases for employees on a salary have not kept up with inflation.

"We're holding our own, I would say," Hendricks said about where the park is today compared to 2003. "We definitely try to keep money in positions that serve the public directly, the walks and talks kind of thing, keeping the restrooms clean, things that people expect and notice if we fail."

One unique draw to Capitol Reef, particularly with the locals, is the 2,600 acres of orchards in the park that produce apricots, cherries, apples, plums, peaches and pears. Hendricks said it's the largest orchard in the national park system. As each crop ripens, people can use ladders provided by the park to pick and eat as much as they want while they're there or pay about $1 per pound to take fruit out.

"It's something we're rather proud of," Hendricks said. "You can just go in and help yourself."

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E-mail: lee@desnews.com; sspeckman@desnews.com