Here is the ABQ Journal article

I received this by E-mail this morning.
Albuquerque Journal
Sunday, January 12, 2003
Scenic Railroad Gets a Second Chance
By Gary E. Salazar Journal Staff Writer ANTONITO, Colo. — The Rio Grande Railway Preservation Corp. will get a second chance to operate the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, but the two-state board that oversees the railroad vows changes. On Saturday, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission decided to enter negotiations with the corporation to work out a contract after meeting behind closed doors for more than three hours Saturday. The commission chose the corporation over the bids submitted by Scenic Railways II, The Railroad Consortium and Jerry Fisher, a Virginia transportation consultant. Although the commission is pursuing a new contract with the corporation, the commission also has to make improvements to its fleet of locomotives and track before the train can open in May. Carl Turner, who represents New Mexico on the board along with Steve Malnar, said Saturday's decision by the board was a significant step in getting the railroad ready for the upcoming season. Turner said the commission chose the corporation to run the 64-mile narrow-gauge line between Chama and Antonito because it has operated it for the past three years. "The mission is to get this train off the floor," Turner said. "They have people on the ground and ready to go." Negotiations will start later this week, and Turner is hopeful a contract can be finalized by the end of the month. 'Like a museum' The corporation opted out of its contract with the commission in October because the corporation lost $1.5 million due to a monthlong shutdown in June ordered by the U.S. Forest Service. The train's operation was suspended because of extreme fire danger in the Carson and Rio Grande national forests. In November, the corporation submitted a bid, along with the three other proposals to operate the track. "We are glad to hear that we have prevailed," said Robert Witter, vice president of the corporation. "The big issue now is funding. The states now have to step up to the plate and provide funding for maintenance." Malnar said the commission, which also includes Sen. Lew Entz and Carol Salisbury from Colorado, said changes will be made in how the commission and the corporation operate the railroad. Malnar said the maintenance for locomotives and the track should not be paid solely by the operator. "The current model where the full risk is borne by the operator does not work," Malnar said. Turner said the commission will have to convince the legislatures of both states that maintenance should be the commission's responsibility, and funding is needed. "We want the state to run the railroad like the museum system," Turner said. "Admission into the museum does not pay for all of the costs. The railroad is like a museum." Aiming for May Another change is that the commission, not the corporation, will handle how the three locomotives are brought up to federal standards. To haul passengers this summer, the boiler of each of the locomotives must meet standards and regulations set by the Federal Railroad Administration. At this point, the commission is counting on a $1.2 million federal grant, which is expected to be awarded in the next two months, to fund the improvements. At this point, the railroad's shop crew has started working on two of the locomotives. Mark Yates, who is the supervisor of the shop crew in Chama, said it will be tough for his nine-member crew to make the improvements to all three engines by May. "We are trying," he said. "Essentially, we are doing the best we can." The commission made its decision on a day when nearly 100 residents and business owners from Chama and Antonito packed the Antonito Chamber of Commerce. Reaction was mixed among residents who stayed to hear the commission's decision. Roger Hogan, who owns a hotel in Chama, said he supports the decision but is hopeful the commission would choose to operate the railroad instead of hiring an operator. "For everybody that loves this railroad, it will be our responsibility to jump on the bandwagon and help out," Hogan said. "It's our responsibility to get behind he commission and the corporation 100 percent." 'Better than nothing' Jay Wimer, a Chama resident, said the commission made the right decision. "The commission did what they had to do," he said. "The corporation is here and has the tools to operate the railroad, but they are going to have to move fast. "I'm pleased the commission will oversee the work that is being done to the locomotives because for the past three years the corporation has goofed up the maintenance." Barbara Smith, who is the treasurer of the Antonito Chamber of Commerce, was in favor of the commission looking for a different operator. Smith said the corporation has not been creative enough when it comes to marketing and advertising the railroad. "Their decision is uncreative," she said. "But it's better than nothing." The commission's decision also was a relief to some Chama and Antonito officials. "It was time for them to make a decision," Chama Mayor Archie Vigil said. "It had been long enough." Vigil said it's important the railroad operates this season because about half of the town's $600,000 budget and 95 percent of the businesses in town rely on the railroad. Rafael Gallegos, an Antonito town board member, agreed. "At least we know they are making some progress," Gallegos said. "Hopefully, they can straighten it out and get it going." Before the meeting, New Mexico Lt. Gov. Diane Denish made an appearance to assure the commission and residents that Gov. Bill Richardson supports the railroad and its future.
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