Update from Chama--16:30 July 25

This was posted on facebook at 16:33:

CHAMA, NM – A team of bridge structural experts will be on scene Saturday morning to assess the extent of damage and begin the design of repairs to the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad’s Lobato Trestle, damaged by a fire of unknown origin Wednesday night.
“They are flying out today and will visit the site promptly tomorrow morning,” said Marvin Casias, C&TSRR Management Company general manager on Friday. “We will better understand the extent and timing of necessary repairs after their assessment, which I hope to receive sometime early next week.”



Planning is under way for alternative C&TSRR events and activities in Chama while the trestle is out of service. However, final details will be held in abeyance until early next week, when the management company has some idea of the time duration for the alternative schedule.
“We are acutely aware of the potential effect on the Chama village economy as a result of this circumstance,” said Elmer Salazar, president and CEO of C&TSRRMC. “We are making plans for special Chama activities to please rail fans and visitors. It is our hope that we will be planning for an alternative operations period measured in a few short weeks, but we will have better parameters when we hear from our bridge structural experts next week.”