Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: August 13, 2008 Gayle Martinez (505) 209-0218
CUMBRES & TOLTEC SCENIC RAILROAD
ENGINE #489 READY TO ROLL!
August 13, 2008, Chama, New Mexico. The powerful steam locomotives of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad have been working hard for over a hundred years pulling thousands of passengers annually over the rugged but spectacular San Juan Mountains Mountains. And August 20, 2008 at 9AM will mark a celebration for one of the original D&RG steam engines!
Locomotive 489 is ready to come back on the line! Yes that's right, the 489 is returning to service! After approximately five years and over $900,000, the last of the K-36 series designed specifically for the Denver and Rio Grande line will be 'comin round the mountain' on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic rail system. Other locomotives currently running on the C&TS line include: Locomotives 484, 487 and 488.
A special ceremony is planned for the 489 to welcome back the refurbished locomotive to the railroad. The event is scheduled to take place at 9AM in Chama, New Mexico and will include a red-ribbon cutting ceremony, patriotic entertainment, and a ‘Blessing of the Train’. Welcoming remarks by political dignitaries, Train Commissioners and Officials will welcome back this special piece of rail equipment in the midst of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad’s 127th season. A christening of the Locomotive will be followed by the official first whistle blow from Locomotive 489.
The first ride for the 489 will roll out at 10 AM sharp from the Chama Station on August 20th amidst cheers from the gathered crowd. She will make her maiden trip on this day while pulling hundreds of train riders from around the world over the 64-mile high mountain route.
The return of this locomotive, an invaluable piece of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad’s fleet is a long anticipated moment for lovers of this historic narrow gauge train. The C&TS RR’s originally purchased it from parent D&RGW in 1970. Thousands of man-hours and hundreds of workers, have provided assistance, elbow grease and love making it possible to bring the locomotive back to working order. The many folks who made #489’s return possible include C&TS RR employees, Friends of the Railroad, The bi-state Train Commission, made up of 2 commissioners from each of the states of Colorado and New Mexico, as well as local and state politicians. From raising money to installing the train’s parts, they all played an important role in her newly refurbished state.
The C&TS RR, America's Highest and Longest Narrow Gauge Railroad operates daily till October 19, 2008 from both station locations in Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. This popular historic narrow-gauge train engages passengers, photographers, historians, and train aficionados on one of the most scenic and historic rail experiences anywhere
FOR MORE INFORMATION on “Locomotive 489 Ceremony” and the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad--CONTACT Gayle Martinez, Sales & Marketing Director, at (505) 209-0218 or
gmartinez@cumbrestoltec.com.
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Gayle L. Martinez
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR
Marketing Director
575-209-0218
www.cumbrestoltec.com
gmartinez@cumbrestoltec.com
History--Scenery--Machinery
