Russo, I agree with you that economic development for the region was important, but the actual legislation by both states says:
"CUMBRES AND TOLTEC SCENIC RAILROAD COMPACT
The state of New Mexico and the state of Colorado, desiring to provide for the joint acquisition, ownership and control of an interstate narrow gauge scenic railroad, known as the Cumbres and Toltec scenic railroad, within Rio Arriba county in New Mexico and Archuleta and Conejos counties in Colorado, to promote the public welfare by encouraging and facilitating recreation and by preserving, as a living museum for future generations, a mode of transportation that helped in the development and promotion of the territories and states ..."