I posted the subject header before and it remains the same because the Georgetown Loop Railroad is in jeapordy due to a bunch of dingbats that are salivating with lofty dreams of cash cows and power-tripping socialist control. These jerks are out to rob and slander the hard work of the last 30 years of an organization, GLR, that re-built the Georgetown Loop into a world-class tourist railroad. I'm a part of that, so yeah, it's personal in addition to being completely outrageously stupid. CHS is completely negating that the last 30 years is intricate to the history of that area.
If you haven't already, I encourage you to obtain a copy of The Colorado Timetable, No. 106, Railroad Newspaper. This issue outlines several points of CHS lunacy that will effectively kill the ability to ride a steam train on the Georgetown Loop. Often times, a contract or RFP will have bits and pieces that are inaccurate or absurd. There are more points of absurd inaccuracies in the RFP of CHS than not. I'm amazed that a state run organization can effectively pursue such nonsense and corrupt inner-workings without public outcry.
For example. The CHS contract proposes to split the profits as 30% to the operator, 30% to CHS, and 40% to the local communities. WHAT !? and why? Perhaps "why not give cash to the locals" would explain that many of the citizens in the local communities have been strong opponents to a steam railroad in their area. These citizens have continually complained about the smoke, the vibration, invasion of tourists, noise from the whistle, noise from the bell, and even the disturbance of non-existent 1,000 year old beaver ponds. Yet, these same citizens are ready to line up for cash proceeds from the operation of the Georgetown Loop. GRAVEROBBING DINGBATS! The current profits are enough to run the business and maintain equipment. 40% to local railroad opposing dingbats robs the ability to restore and maintain equipment. Besides, they're basing their numbers on the current success rate of the current operator. The logistics of the proposed equipment would dictate smaller trains and higher maintenance costs. Perhaps the local dingbats could split a soda-pop out of the newly installed CHS soda-pop vending machines (which stick out like a sore thumb and create garbage in THEIR forest (that GLR track crew maintains)).
"Tie plates should not be used for the future Georgetown Loop Historic Railroad", as stated by the CHS RFP because they are not historically accurate. What in the wide wide world of sports inspired this? Link and pin couplers may be more historically accurate too and could further contribute to the incompetence of an unsafe CHS operation. CHS is willing to apply their own special brand of idiocy to apply their perception of history to completely foresake safety. Additionally, they want to develop paved trails throughout the route of the Loop - dumb, stupid, moronic ... etc. How historically accurate is that? Don't believe me that it is stupid? Calculate how long it takes to stop a train of 340 people on a 4 percent grade @ 12 mph when John and Jane tourist find some random reason to park themselves and broken mountain bike on the historically inaccurate asphalt trail/track crossing. By the time you've got your number, they are hurt and killed and now the Loop is closed for certain.
A closer look at the RFP, and nearly every calculation is skewed, exagerated, or underestimated. CHS isn't even smart enought to make the figures lie in their own favor with many instances. Bottom line is, they truly do not have sufficient equipment, they are hypocritical with regards to historical accuracy, they have no clue about railroading, their ability to obtain accurate figures is nill, their track record for successful projects would be zero if they didn't have the help of GLR - Boettcher Foundation - Navy Sea Bees - countless volunteers, and they will effectively destroy the success of today's Georgetown Loop.
Come for a ride while you still can. End of season = 3 October 2004.
