Friends Director Nan Clark attended both days of the recent RR Commission meeting. She kept informal notes which I have her permission to post here. They shed additional light on the meeting.
Ed Lowrance
July 1, 2004
Steve Malnar brought in a facilitator to help them through the process of writing a strategic plan. Basically there were 2 views - The RGRPC presentation and the Carl Turner/Dick Cowles plan. RGRPC had the backing of Andy Spurlock, Starfire Engineering, to give all the details of what is necessary for continuing the locomotive work. Also making a presentation on behalf of the RGRPC was the engineering company that's been doing a thorough analysis of the track. That plan was (is) extremely expensive but they managed to sell the Commission on most of it. The facilitator was good enough to achieve a 4-0 vote on all aspects of the plan except one. Bottom line:
The Commission is calling for a 5-year plan to bring the railroad up to speed - estimated cost $31 million. Divided by 5 years that's $6.2 million per year and split that 3 ways (1/3 each for states of CO & NM with the other 1/3 coming from all other funding sources ñ Feds, foundations, grants, etc). The Commission will ask each of the 2 states for $2 million per year. Work over 5 years would be: track work $20 million (that would include purchasing ballast cars, ballast tamper, another diesel, raising entire line by about 3 inches, tie replacement, reshaping curves for better banking and traction, slow orders corrected, etc.), remaining locos $2.3 million (488, 489, 483 and 497) with another $1.5 million to do running gear on 484, 487 & 488 (488 due to be ready within a few weeks) anticipated in 3-5 years (depending on hours on the loco) as necessary, $3.6 million for infrastructure (restrooms, more office and storage space, better telephone system, new computers, etc), $3.6 million for passenger coaches and equipment including getting the OY snowplow operational.
The only dissenting vote the entire 2 days was Carol S, who did not want to vote to ask CO for $2 million this year (she only wanted $1 million).
Brian was present on the panel too, representing the Friends and the RGRPC but this meeting was clearly about operational issues. A few times the Friends were mentioned- always in a positive light and we were thanked especially for the ROW project and the new big doors that Marshall, John, Don and Charles built. I did make a presentation of the analysis of the tourist trains of USA and Canada.
Happy RED WHITE & BLUE!!
