$$$$ers for the C&TSRR
| April 29, 2003 03:49PM |
The Associated Press SANTA FE —
The U.S. Commerce Department on Tuesday announced a $1 million grant to the beleaguered Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission. Commerce Secretary Don Evans, on a visit to the capital city, said the money will help rebuild the historic steam locomotives for the narrow gauge railroad, which carries tourists between New Mexico and Colorado from spring into fall each year. New Mexico and Colorado jointly own the 64-mile line that runs between Chama, N.M., and Antonito, Colo. Railroad officials said earlier this month it will be making limited runs this season — one-way trips Sundays through Wednesdays — because only one of its locomotives will be ready. A bus will pick up passengers and return them to the train's departing depot. The Federal Railroad Administration has told the railroad that the boilers for the steam-powered locomotives must be improved to meet federal standards before the season starts. Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railway, a group with nearly 2,000 members from 50 states and 10 other countries, formed a separate group that ran the railroad the past two seasons. The organization had pulled out in October because of lost revenue but bid to return with the expectation of funds from the two states and the federal governments to help catch up on years of upkeep. The railroad lost money last summer after the U.S. Forest Service, citing extreme fire danger, shut down the railroad for a month. The federal money comes from a fund that promotes the use of historic properties and resources for economic development and heritage tourism. The railroad commission and the state of New Mexico matched the grant with $250,000. "The railroad is a wonderful tourist draw for the Chama region, and the railroad's overall economic and jobs impact cannot be underestimated," said Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., who supported the commission's efforts last fall to get a federal grant.
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The U.S. Commerce Department on Tuesday announced a $1 million grant to the beleaguered Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission. Commerce Secretary Don Evans, on a visit to the capital city, said the money will help rebuild the historic steam locomotives for the narrow gauge railroad, which carries tourists between New Mexico and Colorado from spring into fall each year. New Mexico and Colorado jointly own the 64-mile line that runs between Chama, N.M., and Antonito, Colo. Railroad officials said earlier this month it will be making limited runs this season — one-way trips Sundays through Wednesdays — because only one of its locomotives will be ready. A bus will pick up passengers and return them to the train's departing depot. The Federal Railroad Administration has told the railroad that the boilers for the steam-powered locomotives must be improved to meet federal standards before the season starts. Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railway, a group with nearly 2,000 members from 50 states and 10 other countries, formed a separate group that ran the railroad the past two seasons. The organization had pulled out in October because of lost revenue but bid to return with the expectation of funds from the two states and the federal governments to help catch up on years of upkeep. The railroad lost money last summer after the U.S. Forest Service, citing extreme fire danger, shut down the railroad for a month. The federal money comes from a fund that promotes the use of historic properties and resources for economic development and heritage tourism. The railroad commission and the state of New Mexico matched the grant with $250,000. "The railroad is a wonderful tourist draw for the Chama region, and the railroad's overall economic and jobs impact cannot be underestimated," said Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., who supported the commission's efforts last fall to get a federal grant.
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roger hogan | April 29, 2003 03:49PM |
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488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
The NGDF was started by Don Richter and is currently operated in his memory by Nathan Holmes and others. Others who have contributed to the upkeep of this board are (in no particular order): Charles McCandless, Everett Lueck, Ted Wilton, Cole Adams, James Bane, John Moellmer, Jon Bentz, Linn Moedinger, lloyd lehrer, Rod Jensen, John Craft, Steven Forney, Herb Kelsey, Bill Ramaley, Russ Sperry (El Russo Loco), Josh McNeal, John West, Jim Armstrong, Bob Bergstrom, Greg Scholl, Blake Forbes Doug van Veelen and Mark Fuller.