Brian Shoup posted this on the Friends news page. Rather than a link, here's the whole thing:
Commission Awards Contract to RGRPC
Posted By: Brian Shoup
Date: Mar 15, 2003
Today in Santa Fe, the C&TS Railroad Commission voted to award a management contract to the Rio Grande Railway Preservation Corporation (RGRPC) contingent upon sufficient funding becoming available through the state of New Mexico allocations process and from an expected $3.3 million grant from the Economic Development Authority. The contract represents a significant departure from the previous business model where the property and equipment was leased to an independent operator.
Under this new arrangement, the Commission has entered into what is essentially a purchase-of-services contract. The commission will reimburse the RGRPC for managing the rail operations including train service, shop work, marketing/ticket sales, and at least some of the track work. The new contract anticipates regularly scheduled joint RGRPC board - Commission meetings as well joint staff meetings. The commission will establish overall policy and direction with advice and counsel from its management contractor, the RGRPC.
The contract, which has been initially signed by Commissioner Steve Malnar and RGRPC Corporate Treasurer Rich Casford, will be reviewed by the New Mexico Attorney General’s office before being signed by all Commissioners and Directors of the two entities. The transition of management responsibility from the Commission to the RGRPC will begin immediately.
In other business, the Commission approved a June 14 opening to the 2003 season. General Manager Kim Flowers reported that limited locomotive availability early this year will necessitate a four train per week schedule with trains running the full length of the line, alternating from Chama and Antonito. More trains could be added mid-season provided a second locomotive becomes available.
Representatives from the New Mexico State Forestry Department as well as the Carson and Rio Grande National Forests all reported that fire prevention and mitigation plans have been established with the RGRPC management in an effort to reduce the likelihood of the need to suspend rail operations if drought conditions prevail again this summer. One hopeful note is that the snow pack on the western slope of Cumbres Pass is at 90 % of average and the snow pack on the eastern slope is at 75 % of average – significantly higher than last year.
