D&S Financing

The D&SNG is hosting an awards ceremony this Wednesday for the presentation of "ceremonial checks" from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Rural Development and Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. Those receiving the awards include the railroad, Community Connections, Inc., San Juan County Historical Society (Silverton), Town of Mancos, and the Region 9 Economic Development District.
Speaking at this ceremony will be Gil Gonzalez, who is Acting Under Secretary, USDA Rural Development, and Gigi Dennis, State Director of USDA Rural Development.
For the railroad's part, this funding will provide for low cost economic development loans that will retire some very high interest rate bank loans that enabled Al Harper to buy the railroad from Charlie Bradshaw. Coupled with the forest fires, and 911 loss of tourist revenue, the original bank financing was keeping the railroad on the brink of financial instability. As stated by the railroad, "this check will ensure the continued success of the D&SNG for many generations to come."
The management of the D&SNG has been working on this loan for some time as one solution to bouy up its rather precarious financial situation. Despite operating under strained budgets, the railroad has maintained a quality operation, and the results of this season's operations are showing a steady increase in ridership from the terrible summer of the Durango forest fire.
The management from the railroad will be in Silverton this Tuesday evening for a town meeting (6 p.m., Town Hall) to discuss this past summer, and I'm sure, to announce the USDA award. This is an annual meeting first instituted by Charlie Bradshaw to meet with town's people to discuss the season, to hear complaints and compliments, and to discuss future plans. I don't know of too many privately owned businesses that openly solicit public commentary concerning the conduct of its business.
Friday is the last scheduled train service from Durango, and then Saturday is Silverton Appreciation Day when the locals get to ride the train from Silverton to Durango at a very special reduced rate. First instituted by Bradshaw, this trip proved to be too rowdy for Charlie's tastes (he was mooned by about 20 people lined up along US 550 at Hermosa), and a number of people literally flowed off the coaches in Silverton upon the train's return. Charlie cancelled our train for 2 years, I believe, until he exacted a promise of more proper behavior from our local citizens. So, we have tried to behave in the years since. The good, stodgy folks of Durango, when they have their train, act in a much more dignified and boringly predictable manner.