This is in response to the Wilcomb post on Monday 27 June.
I have come here (the Loop) from out of state to work for the season. I have had no previous contact with the former operator. I have no interest in the local politics. My only interest is to do the best job I can using my past exeriance. I do not know what Wilcomb's experiance or field of knowledge is, but it is very mean, hurtful and RUDE of him to attack a group of people (Railstar) who are NOT part of the "politics" and are only here doing a job that they have been engaged to do. For Wilcomb to say that our hard work and efforts are nothing better than a "cluster F**K that is running there now" is a hateful and untrue statement. I hope that all of Wilcomb's peers reject his attitude and denounce him for what he is...a coward and less than a decent human being!
I do not discount the feelings of any persons that are dissapointed that the former operator is no longer here. Ashby and crew built a great attraction and ran it with great care and safety.
Politics aside, the facts are that GLRR,Inc did not respond to the RFP, Railstar did and here we are now. Our people here on the ground have great respect for the former operator, we do not think for one moment that we, or any operator, could just pick up where they left off. The numbers will be down, the 12 is not big enough, there are not enough cars or equipment right now to meet last years attendance, the list goes on and on. Passsengers will be dissapointed not to see the same equipment or faces thay came to know and love. Can't all you GLRR, Inc supporters just be "Loop Supporters"? Unhappy as you are and pissed off....you should at least be happy the place did not close down, which would have been very bad for the community. The new operators had NOTHING to do with the choices made by CHS and GLRR,Inc. Instead of all the money, time and effort and negative energy that is still being put in to discredit the new operation and convince everyone that the "Loop is Closed", why not buck it up, wipe the tears and disapointment away and put all that energy in promoting the operation, which will benefit the communities of Silver Plume and Georgetown. If all of you "Loop Bashers" are so concerned about how the new operation is lacking in equipment, which reflects negatively in the numbers of people coming to town, economy, etc. why keep knocking it and fighting the change that has already taken place?
I personally don't understand or see the positive side or economic sense of all this narrow gauge equipment sitting down at Golden doing nothing! The fastest way to improve the ridership at the Loop is for GLRR, Inc. to lease equipment to Railstar or CHS. If all you bashers really care about providing the public with the the best operation and the highest quality of railroading entertainment for the patrons, why in Gods name won't everyone stop the bashing and bickering and do what's best for the operation, not just CHS, GLRR, Inc, or Railstar...but for the operation, community and most of all the PASSENGERS! Seems to me all concerned could come out ahead.
Wilcomb, you owe Railstar and our hard working staff an apology.
Thanks to all the kind words from "Loop" supporters.
Regards,
Steven Torrico
Operations Manager
Georgetown Loop Railroad
