Albuquerque Journal today
| September 01, 2003 09:09AM |
Monday, September 1, 2003
Gov. Says N.M. Should Buy the Railroad
By Gary E. Salazar
Journal Staff Writer
SANTA FE— If Colorado can't pay its share to operate the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Gov. Bill Richardson is interested in New Mexico buying out its partner of 33 years.
Richardson made the recommendation recently to the bi-state Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission as an option for the four-member board to explore to keep the train running, said Richardson spokesman Billy Sparks.
"The buyout is one of many options the governor would like the commission to look into," Sparks said. "The governor is concerned (about) the railroad's continued operation. It's important to tourism and the livelihood of many small businesses in northern New Mexico.
"The governor wants the commission to plan and be prepared for anything that may arise."
This summer, only New Mexico is paying the operating costs of a limited season for the 64-mile narrow-gauge line between Chama and Antonito, Colo.
Because only one locomotive meets Federal Railroad Administration regulations, the train is offering rides only four days a week. In the last legislative session, New Mexico earmarked $700,000 for the railroad.
The Colorado Legislature appropriated no funds because of a massive budget deficit. Colorado had to cut as much as $900 million from the state budget.
This was the first time since the two states bought the railroad in 1970 that Colorado did not match New Mexico's allocation.
Although Richardson recommended purchase, the commission, which consists of two members from each state, has not researched any type of buyout. The reason is that Colorado officials have promised the commission that money will be available for next year's season, said Carl Turner, a New Mexico commissioner.
"I have heard a lot of encouragement from Colorado," Turner said. "It sounds like they are going to do their best to get money.
"If they can't come up with any money for next year, there will be more action taken in buying them out."
Wayne Quinlan, a Colorado commissioner, said he and others in his state will do all they can to get money from the state for next year.
Quinlan said he was surprised by Richardson's recommendation and opposes it.
Former Colorado State Sen. Hugh Fowler also pledged to get funds for the railroad next year. For close to 20 years, Fowler has been a liaison between the Colorado government and the railroad's support organization, Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.
Fowler said he has been in contact with Colorado Lt. Gov. Jane Norton and "she has indicated to me that Colorado will do everything it can do to get funds for next year."
Fowler said funding could come from state gambling and lottery revenue.
Fowler co-sponsored the 1977 legislation in Congress that created the two-state compact that created the bi-state commission.
Fowler said it would be tough for either state to buy out the other because that would require an act of Congress.
Commissioners say they are satisfied with this year's limited season so far. The railroad's target was to earn $1.2 million through ticket sales and through August it had secured $587,000, said Steve Malnar, a New Mexico commissioner.
Malnar said a $1 million federal grant is being used to repair two other locomotives for the start of the next season in June.
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Gov. Says N.M. Should Buy the Railroad
By Gary E. Salazar
Journal Staff Writer
SANTA FE— If Colorado can't pay its share to operate the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Gov. Bill Richardson is interested in New Mexico buying out its partner of 33 years.
Richardson made the recommendation recently to the bi-state Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission as an option for the four-member board to explore to keep the train running, said Richardson spokesman Billy Sparks.
"The buyout is one of many options the governor would like the commission to look into," Sparks said. "The governor is concerned (about) the railroad's continued operation. It's important to tourism and the livelihood of many small businesses in northern New Mexico.
"The governor wants the commission to plan and be prepared for anything that may arise."
This summer, only New Mexico is paying the operating costs of a limited season for the 64-mile narrow-gauge line between Chama and Antonito, Colo.
Because only one locomotive meets Federal Railroad Administration regulations, the train is offering rides only four days a week. In the last legislative session, New Mexico earmarked $700,000 for the railroad.
The Colorado Legislature appropriated no funds because of a massive budget deficit. Colorado had to cut as much as $900 million from the state budget.
This was the first time since the two states bought the railroad in 1970 that Colorado did not match New Mexico's allocation.
Although Richardson recommended purchase, the commission, which consists of two members from each state, has not researched any type of buyout. The reason is that Colorado officials have promised the commission that money will be available for next year's season, said Carl Turner, a New Mexico commissioner.
"I have heard a lot of encouragement from Colorado," Turner said. "It sounds like they are going to do their best to get money.
"If they can't come up with any money for next year, there will be more action taken in buying them out."
Wayne Quinlan, a Colorado commissioner, said he and others in his state will do all they can to get money from the state for next year.
Quinlan said he was surprised by Richardson's recommendation and opposes it.
Former Colorado State Sen. Hugh Fowler also pledged to get funds for the railroad next year. For close to 20 years, Fowler has been a liaison between the Colorado government and the railroad's support organization, Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.
Fowler said he has been in contact with Colorado Lt. Gov. Jane Norton and "she has indicated to me that Colorado will do everything it can do to get funds for next year."
Fowler said funding could come from state gambling and lottery revenue.
Fowler co-sponsored the 1977 legislation in Congress that created the two-state compact that created the bi-state commission.
Fowler said it would be tough for either state to buy out the other because that would require an act of Congress.
Commissioners say they are satisfied with this year's limited season so far. The railroad's target was to earn $1.2 million through ticket sales and through August it had secured $587,000, said Steve Malnar, a New Mexico commissioner.
Malnar said a $1 million federal grant is being used to repair two other locomotives for the start of the next season in June.
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roger hogan | September 01, 2003 09:09AM |
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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.