Re: More like a CATS with nine lives . . . 
| June 23, 2019 02:31PM |
|
John Cole Wrote (Approximately):
-------------------------------------------------------
> . . . 8+ years ago when the 40th anniversary event
> was held, a round table discussion was arranged
> with many of the main players who led the charge
> to get the states to purchase & save the railroad
> for future generations. I was amazed hearing how
> they had to jump over, crawl under, or go around
> 101 obstacles to make it happen. Had they not
> been successful on every one, it would have died
> there, yet somehow they found a solution to every
> problem.
IIRC, that was on Monday morning and some of us missed watching it 'cause we were busy putting the finishing touches on the re-enactment train that was run later in the day. Fortunately, John arranged for the discussion to be video'd and preserved for posterity, but I'm not sure where the original files are currently located. Hopefully these can be unearthed, edited, and made available for viewing in time for the 2020 season!
Rich Murray Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> John. Very well expressed!
> We can best honor the men & women who saved
> the part of the D&RGW that became the Cumbres
> & Toltec Scenic RailRoad by continuing to support
> the railroad through volunteer work with the Friends
> of the C&TS as well as both riding the trains and
> “spreading the word”. Without The Friends, the
> historic assets which help create an accurate
> journey to the past will turn to dust or rust and
> without income from riders the railroad will be-
> come silent. Those original people who gave
> their best efforts 50 years ago to preserve this
> operation require our best efforts today and in
> the coming years as we continue their fight.
I'll second your kudos to Mr. Cole, Rich — and say the same regarding your own thoughts.
John West Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> While the heroes of 50 years ago are important,
> so are all the heroes of the intervening years right
> up to the present. And for that matter the future
> heroes who will be needed to keep the place going.
> The story of the C&TS is not a one time event, it
> is more like a story about a CATS with nine lives.
> But that said, it is important that the ancient hist-
> ory gets recorded and documented while some
> of those heroes are still around to tell the stories,
> because the every time those old timers get to-
> gether more interesting stories come out. The
> C&TS has had more than its fair share of char-
> acters and adventures.
Right On, John -
One of the main reasons for putting so much effort into the 40th B.D. Party back in 2010, rather than waiting for the 50th Anniversary in 2020, was that none of us were getting any younger. 'Chile John' Pritchard – one of the principals in the political efforts to save the railroad – had passed away only a year or so earlier, and some of the volunteers who helped rehabilitate the line in 1970 were either gone as well or at least feeling too frail to attend the anniversary celebration. Sad losses since then include Ed Stabler & Ernie Robart, and others among the volunteers with whom Ernie was in contact.
On a more positive note, it has been suggested that another gathering of old timers be arranged next year,* with both a videographer or two present and some appropriate "lubricant" for vocal chords available . . .
- El Abuelo Histœrico, Greengo y Curmudgeoño de los Locomoturas Viejos y Verdes,
aka Der Grossväterlich DünkelOlivGrünDampfKesselMantelLiebHabender
* IIRC Terry Ross – who led the political fight to preserve the Narrow Gauge over Cumbres – is still with us, and Rich Braden – who was the second person hired by the Bi-State RR Commission in 1970 and who fired #483 on most of her trips between Antonito & Chama that Autumn – has recently returned to the C&TS. Are there any others from the earliest days of the railroad who could - and should - be invited to a commemorative event next year?
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/2019 11:49AM by Russo Loco.
-------------------------------------------------------
> . . . 8+ years ago when the 40th anniversary event
> was held, a round table discussion was arranged
> with many of the main players who led the charge
> to get the states to purchase & save the railroad
> for future generations. I was amazed hearing how
> they had to jump over, crawl under, or go around
> 101 obstacles to make it happen. Had they not
> been successful on every one, it would have died
> there, yet somehow they found a solution to every
> problem.
IIRC, that was on Monday morning and some of us missed watching it 'cause we were busy putting the finishing touches on the re-enactment train that was run later in the day. Fortunately, John arranged for the discussion to be video'd and preserved for posterity, but I'm not sure where the original files are currently located. Hopefully these can be unearthed, edited, and made available for viewing in time for the 2020 season!
Rich Murray Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> John. Very well expressed!
> We can best honor the men & women who saved
> the part of the D&RGW that became the Cumbres
> & Toltec Scenic RailRoad by continuing to support
> the railroad through volunteer work with the Friends
> of the C&TS as well as both riding the trains and
> “spreading the word”. Without The Friends, the
> historic assets which help create an accurate
> journey to the past will turn to dust or rust and
> without income from riders the railroad will be-
> come silent. Those original people who gave
> their best efforts 50 years ago to preserve this
> operation require our best efforts today and in
> the coming years as we continue their fight.
I'll second your kudos to Mr. Cole, Rich — and say the same regarding your own thoughts.
John West Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> While the heroes of 50 years ago are important,
> so are all the heroes of the intervening years right
> up to the present. And for that matter the future
> heroes who will be needed to keep the place going.
> The story of the C&TS is not a one time event, it
> is more like a story about a CATS with nine lives.
> But that said, it is important that the ancient hist-
> ory gets recorded and documented while some
> of those heroes are still around to tell the stories,
> because the every time those old timers get to-
> gether more interesting stories come out. The
> C&TS has had more than its fair share of char-
> acters and adventures.
Right On, John -
One of the main reasons for putting so much effort into the 40th B.D. Party back in 2010, rather than waiting for the 50th Anniversary in 2020, was that none of us were getting any younger. 'Chile John' Pritchard – one of the principals in the political efforts to save the railroad – had passed away only a year or so earlier, and some of the volunteers who helped rehabilitate the line in 1970 were either gone as well or at least feeling too frail to attend the anniversary celebration. Sad losses since then include Ed Stabler & Ernie Robart, and others among the volunteers with whom Ernie was in contact.
On a more positive note, it has been suggested that another gathering of old timers be arranged next year,* with both a videographer or two present and some appropriate "lubricant" for vocal chords available . . .
- El Abuelo Histœrico, Greengo y Curmudgeoño de los Locomoturas Viejos y Verdes,
aka Der Grossväterlich DünkelOlivGrünDampfKesselMantelLiebHabender
* IIRC Terry Ross – who led the political fight to preserve the Narrow Gauge over Cumbres – is still with us, and Rich Braden – who was the second person hired by the Bi-State RR Commission in 1970 and who fired #483 on most of her trips between Antonito & Chama that Autumn – has recently returned to the C&TS. Are there any others from the earliest days of the railroad who could - and should - be invited to a commemorative event next year?
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/2019 11:49AM by Russo Loco.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
The NGDF was started by Don Richter and is currently operated in his memory by Nathan Holmes and others. Others who have contributed to the upkeep of this board are (in no particular order): Charles McCandless, Everett Lueck, Ted Wilton, Cole Adams, James Bane, John Moellmer, Jon Bentz, Linn Moedinger, lloyd lehrer, Rod Jensen, John Craft, Steven Forney, Herb Kelsey, Bill Ramaley, Russ Sperry (El Russo Loco), Josh McNeal, John West, Jim Armstrong, Bob Bergstrom, Greg Scholl, Blake Forbes Doug van Veelen and Mark Fuller.