Re: Georgetown Loop Press Release

I can't convey how discouraging I find this. I have long felt that Georgetown Loop was a model public-private partnership: a top-notch professional operator to maintain and run and market the train, joining forces with a state preservation agency qualified to interpret, preserve and promote the surrounding historic context. All of this located in a great, Interstate-accessable tourist area, 2 hours from a major population center and tourist gateway.
I really have trouble accepting that such a sensible partnership has come to an end.
My understanding is that CHS feels it can negotiate a contract with another operator which will return more money to it. I beleive they are sadly mistaken--I don't see any other operator out there who can wring costs out of the system or drive revenue better than the Ashbys. If CHS thinks historic mountain railroading can become a cash cow they are kidding themselves. My fears now are that 1. that they will accept a bid from some wildly overoptimisitic and undercapitalized operator who will skimp on maintenance and capital reinvestment to maximize cash flow (digging themnselves into the same hole as C&TS in the late 90s); or, 2. they will simply discard the operation and become a static park. Either way, I fear we are going to end up with no more trains on the high bridge, either immediately or after a period of painful decline.
Call me gloomy, miserable and frutrated.