Re: Not Quite, Russo ...

Dick Cowles Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 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 ..."

Let us not throw Russo under the [Rail] bus so quickly ...

Note that "Compact" that Dick referrs to was Federal legislation to allow the State of New Mexico and the State of Colorado to jointly form the "Commission" that today runs the C&TRR. BUT ... that "Compact legislation" was approved in 1974, and did not fund or facilitate the purchase of the DRG&W assets, as the purchase by the two States occurred 4 years earlier than the Compact.

And at least in some documents, even the current Commission own document's recognize that there is an "economic development" component to its mission ...

Quote
C&TRR Commission Policies
7. Developing planning strategies that further the long-term viability and historic significance of the railroad, including implementing a strategic plan (based upon relevant stakeholder input) that reflects the tourism and economic development objectives of the railroad and the states and that provides for the upkeep of the railroad’s historic assets in conformance with preservation standards;

Read it yourself here:
[commission.ctsrr.com]