I have learned that the effort by Russo, Ron, William, Mike, and many others to raise the alarm about "culvertizing" wooden trestles has come to the attention of the Commissioners of the C&TS. As best I can determine they were not aware of these "rents" in the historic fabric, and, as the stewards of the C&TS, they are concerned.
While we need to wait and see what they do to prevent such mindless destruction of historic artifacts in the future, these two incidents point out that "Eternal Vigilance Is the Price of Preservation." As one might expect those responsible for the track upgrading project (who have done wonders) were doing just that -- improving the RoW as would be done on any self-respecting railroad. No one was tasked with being in preservation mode. This looks to be inadvertent, but the damage was done. The same organization that was so careful about preservation issues for Lobato trestle also culvertized the trestles at 286.72 and 287.50.
As for the SHPO's, they have to follow their rule book. Turns out that in 2007 when the railroad and the Friends worked with the SHPO's to massively expand the C&TS's listing for the National Register (see the relevant section of the filing at [
www.cumbrestoltec.org]
trestles from the size of Hangman's up through Cascade were identified as "Contributing Resources" and, as such are protected. Since smaller trestles were not so identified, I don't think there is much the SHPO's can do about what has transpired. Besides the SHPO's are not that comfortable with railroad-specific artifacts (now, buildings, that's another matter).
Before getting too worked up over the lack of mention of the two trestles from the National Register, please keep two things in mind:
(a) the 2007 filing is humongous, it describes and protects 240 artifacts (rolling stock, structures, etc.) instead of just 25 as was previously the case, and
(b) the current application to the NPS to elevate the railroad to National Historic Landmark status does encompasses such items as the smaller trestles.
So please, stay tuned and wish us luck in gaining NHL status. (BTW, I'm writing this from the perspective of being a member of the Friends committee that is working on the NHL submission for the railroad).
