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Todays Denver Post
Board: Cumbres & Toltec will operate in '03 By Mark H. Hunter Special to The Denver Post Sunday, January 12, 2003 - ANTONITO - The little train that could will continue to operate this summer. Members of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission decided Saturday to allow the historic railroad's former operator, the Rio Grande Railway Preservation Corp., to operate the line for another year.
The commission fired the corporation last fall because of financial and track maintenance problems, but all parties involved vowed to work out the issues in order to keep it running. Proposals from three other bidders apparently did not meet the commission's requirements.
The coal-fired narrow-gauge train, which winds for 64 miles through the San Juan Mountains from Antonito to Chama, N.M., is popular with tourists and pumps an estimated $45 million annually into the two small border towns. Last summer's drought forced the U.S. Forest Service to close it for several weeks to prevent cinders from starting fires. The move cost both communities millions of dollars and more than 10,000 riders, officials said.
Some of the railway's costs are shared by New Mexico and Colorado, and New Mexico Lt. Gov. Diane Denish pledged her state's support.
"We know and understand that the railroad is the lifeblood of Chama and Antonito, and we are committed to ensure it continues to operate," Denish said. Her boss, Gov. Bill Richardson, was scheduled to address the commission but stayed in Santa Fe to negotiate with a delegation from North Korea over the crisis with that country.
Colorado's support, however, is another story, said Colorado state Sen. Lew Entz, R-Hooper, who represents the San Luis Valley and is also a member of the commission.
"New Mexico does not have a Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, and that has put Colorado in a real box," Entz said. "We are submitting a bill in the (Colorado) legislature that will try to generate some money for (the railroad)."
Nearly 100 people crowded into the tiny Antonito Chamber of Commerce for the meeting, more than half of them braving snow-covered roads to drive from New Mexico. The New Mexico delegation was thrilled with the decision, but Colorado officials had mixed feelings.
Jan Reis, director of the Chama Chamber of Commerce, said, "We suffered hugely last year when it was closed. The railroad is critically important to us for jobs and the trickle-down effect it has on our hotels, restaurants and galleries."
Barbara Anne Smith, director of the Antonito Chamber, said the decision to continue is "positive," but going with the problem-plagued Rio Grande Railway Preservation Corp. "is an interim solution that is better than nothing."
If all goes according to plans the train will begin operations on Memorial Day weekend.
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