C&TSRR Commission Meeting 6-11-04

Thanks to Vern Glover
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission
Report of Meeting, June 11, 2004, Chama, New Mexico
All Commissioners were present, as well as Commission staff, representatives of Rio Grande Railway Preservation Corporation (RGRPC), Friends of the C&TSRR, New Mexico Lt. Governor Denish's office, the New Mexico Attorney General's office, and the public.
Much of the published agenda consisted of reports of past and current activities. More on these later.
Of the agenda items, future-looking Business Plan and Funding and Appropriation Request topics were the most significant. Extended discussion took place. In order to present reasonable requests for appropriations and grants, the C&TS management must have carefully prepared short-term (next year) and long-term plans in place. These have evolved in the Commission's work from a broad strategic plan (presented April 21 to NM Legislative Finance Committee) to a more detailed comprehensive Business Plan in spreadsheet form, assigning funds and durations to specific projects. From these documents, then can be prepared a Business Action Plan for each fiscal year, relating projects in hand, projects necessary soon, funds available today and funds needed in the fiscal year.
During the meeting, it became apparent that the Commission members were not of one mind on just how to present their requests to the two state legislatures and other agencies. Nor was it obvious that all needed work had been sufficiently set in order of priority. For example, estimated funding needs and requirements for the next five years varied from about $9 million as a minimum to nearly $33 million.
Accordingly, a meeting of the Commission for planning was scheduled for June 29 and 30, 2004, at Chama. The goal will be to reach agreement within the Commission of goals and priorities, as well as to create a funding request package to ensure consistent representations of needs to the legislatures and other funding entities.
In more detail, the Strategic plan recognized the need for major rehabilitation and rebuild efforts across the C&TS property, as well as the creation of new amenities and facilities to attract new and more demanding riders. Areas to be discussed in detail will include ridership growth, trackwork, locomotives, passenger cars and amenities, and infrastructure, meaning new or expanded shop facilities, office areas, communications and computer systems, and the like. Translating the many needs of the railroad into a coherent business plan and agreeing on each year's funding requests will be a large task.
In related topics, the Commission and the state governments are actively seeking new funding methods and sources, both in and out of government. In New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratories and Sandia National Laboratories, and their contractors have requirements for supporting public works. Jerry Hanks, Science & Technology Advisor on Lt. Governor Diane Denish's staff is developing direct support in terms of modern machine tools, communications technology, and new funding sources.
Economic Development Administration (EDA) interest in the C&TS continues. Pedro Garza, of the EDA regional office at Austin, visited in May. The application for the next EDA locomotive grant will include participation by the two states and the Friends of the C&TS, as did t he earlier successful grant request.
Moving on to current activities, RGRPC reported that locomotive 488 could be ready for service in July if work can continue at the current pace. Timbering and other work at Mud Tunnel will be complete in about three weeks, allowing the track crews to return to work on the ten or so "slow order" areas of poor track. RGRPC, at its summer strength, employs 57 people this year. Passenger loadings are good, with most Chama trains and Antonito weekend trains selling out.
Friends of the C&TS reported that 107 volunteers turned out for last month's right-of-way brush clearing work session. June work sessions beginning next week, ending with the Friends annual meeting the evening of June 18 at the Chama Gymnasium. Lindsay Ashby, Georgetown Loop Railroad, will be the main speaker.
The final contract for the C&TSRR Master Plan is now in the Colorado Attorney General's office. After negotiations with contractor Unit Design Studios, the contract will be let for $270,000, all Colorado money. Start date for the work will be June 21, 2004, with completion planned for February 15, 2005. The plan will include elements previously described and will evaluate all C&TS property, whether located in Colorado or New Mexico. This particular format of master plan is apparently a requirement for continued Colorado funding from non-appropriated sources. Presumably it will be coordinated with the C&TS planning accomplished by the Commission.
Commissioner Malnar reported on a number of exploratory projects resulting from contacts with the NM LFC. Included were additional funding through the Chama lodgers tax, a new economic impact study, and exploration of interest in the railroad by the Jicarilla Apaches.
The fourth issue of the C&TS Commission Conductor was published at the meeting. Governor Richardson's visit of April 26 was reported. Detailed reports on locomotives by Andy Spurlock of Starfire Engineering, track by Mark Post of Centennial Engineering, C&TS activities by Kim Smith, and Commission activities by Richard Gomez were included. There is a lot of information in this newsletter by people involved in the railroad -- worthwhile reading when it is available on-line.
For the next fiscal year, Commissioners will switch roles as officers. Commissioner Quinlan will be Chairman, Turner will become Vice-Chairman, Salisbury takes over as Treasurer, and Malnar becomes Secretary.
Vern Glover, June 12, 2004
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