Well... you want to see what the next thread on the Loop will bring, so I sat down and thought of a few things that the CHS kind of overlooked and is overlooking.
Let's start with their own equipment. They built their Glass Jewel Box in Silver Plume too low and can't even get the D&RGW long caboose that they own inside it. Plus, if they were to try to put their D&RGW 40' reefer, 30' Stock Car and Box Car in there, they would run out of room. Oh well, their indoor "Climate Control" within the Glass Box has never functioned, just like a few other things connected with this ill conceived Parking Lot Eradicator.
Speaking of Silver Plume Parking, as one can see by the location of this Glass Palace (with roof vents that look like Jupiter C missiles), the only contiguous parking for the Railroad riders is for those with Handicapped stickers. All others have to either (a) park on the opposite side of the road, on a VERY narrow strip of land, or on the other side of the Interstate overpass. Before construction of this Glass Jewel Box, there was enough parking at the depot in Silver Plume to accomodate at least 1 trainload (at that time 5 cars).
Before we leave Silver Plume, let's look at the engine house. This particular edifice was constructed in 1980's Drive -thru bank architecture. I have seen this architecture used at the Silver Thorne Factory outlet shops as well. Any shortcomings there? Other than the facts that the rails into the shop building are too short (and the GTL RR had to fabricate extensions), there is no wheel drop pit for dropping drivers from under the locomotives, there is NO overhead crane for handling little light devices like cross-compound air pumps, the fact that the "Peanut (aka viewing) Gallery" was never finished and now is being used for machinery because the CHS didn't build in enough room to accomodate the type of machinery needed for the equipment being used up there, ... it IS a good roof for keeping the weather out. To be fair, it beats the "shade tree" shop that was there before. But it could also have been located in a better location, larger, and for less money.
The High Bridge was built using grant money from various foundations. Part of the CHS's commitment was to stone face the poured concrete abutments so that they would look exactly like the original abutments and bridge tower base supports. When you go there today, you will see a beautiful job of poured concrete, no facing, no stone, not even faux-painting.
The Morrison Interpretive Center (Devil's Gate Ticket office) looks like it was designed by the same guy as the Silver Plume Shop during his time off from designing banks for Empire Savings & Loan. It doesn't look anything like a depot, unless you catch your trains at a car wash. This same guy apparently moonlights designing Rest Areas on the Interstate and National Park Service Entrance buildings.
So much for the physical plant.
What does the CHS need for operations? First would be a good and functioning Ticketing system. The GTL RR's is computerized and does quite well. CHS will have to re-invent the wheel here.
As I mentioned earlier, they will have the Silver Plume Shop Building. But they will have no machinery, no spare parts in case something breaks, and no tools.
Speaking of tools... How about all the tools needed for Maintenance of Way? They will need Mauls, Spike Pullers, Lining Bars, Muck Sticks, Tamping Bars, Grade sight boards, track gauges, rail saws, rail drills.... and so much more, including spare track parts. Tracks don't take care of themselves, but remember, the CHS has only been in the business for (now) about two months. Where do you get the proper track tools? Not at a Hardware store or Sears, I can tell you that.
So, you spies for the CHS who are monitoring this board, there's another thing that you can run and tell your bosses and watch them slap their foreheads and go "Oh @#$%&".
It is highly unlikely that the CHS even has the remotest idea about performing a COTS test or how often to inspect the air system, or even to have a test gauge.
After all, if they import those Diesel-Hydraulic locomotives, with no air systems, who needs to test the air on a loaded passenger train going down a 4% grade? Certainly not the CHS.
From day 1 the CHS was in over their collective heads in this mess and they are now just too deep into it to admit it.
Guys, it's time to sit back and watch the self-made tragedy unfold.
I sincerely wish for an equitable and just end to this mess, but with the personalities involved and what I've seen, read and heard, there are too many egos involved and too many poorly thought through ideas on the table now.
The CHS will win eventually. No question. They own the property, the structures, and the rails. But at what price? I know of no operator other than Disney, with enough money and with enough 3' gauge equipment to come in, act as concessionaire and provide a seamless transition. Even the, Disney would have to get or build larger locomotives, or come up with a different operating scenario.
We ought to consider ourselves fortunate the we have had the Ashby's around for the last 3 decades to show them how it should be done. The Ashbys and the Georgetown Loop Railroad deserve better and fairer treatment in recognition of 30 years of service to Georgetown, Silver Plume, Clear Creek County, the State of Colorado and the worldwide railfan community in General. The CHS ought to be ashamed of themselves.
Rick
