This is a follow-up post to an earlier thread I started regarding the deplorable state in which D&RG #278 finds itself currently. (See the pic below.) I wrote to the Curecanti Nat'l Rec Area of the Natl Park Serv and received a really supportive email from an employee who is sincerely interested in getting the needed restoration work done. But he is asking for an email and/or letter from everyone who would like to see this work done. Please see his email note below.
To respond use his email address:
Forest_Frost@nps.gov
or a letter should go to:
National Park Service
attn: Forest Frost
102 Elk Creek
Gunnison, Colorado 81230
********* original email ****************
Subject: Cimarron train condition
To:
rlenicheck@yahoo.com
From:
Forest_Frost@nps.gov Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2006 09:15:55 -0700
Mr. Lenicheck:
Thank you expressing your concern for the condition of the train at
Cimarron. Currently the park is putting together a contract to move the
train from the truss bridge, where it is now, to the maintenance facility
at Cimarron where at least basic restoration can start. Due to obvious
weather considerations the move will probably occur no earlier than late
spring 2007.
The restoration plan referred to in the park brochure is not currently
available for distribution. The plan is being completed by the University
of Colorado- Denver. The leader of that research team has taken a job at
another university, delaying the release of the report until spring. After
its release I assume it will be available for downloading on the Curecanti
web site. If you would like I can notify you when that report is issued.
I really do thank you for your interest. In the NPS funding process
projects around the Rocky Mountain area are prioritized according to
responses to a standard set of questions. One consideration is public
interest in the proposed project. A place like Mesa Verde can simply point
to their visitation numbers, but in the past Curecanti train proposals have
always been penalized points because of no demonstrated public interest.
If you have friends who are railroad fans who also feel the preservation of
the train at Cimarron is important, please have them write to me. The more
public interest we can show the better chance we have of getting additional
funding.
Forest Frost
Archaeologist
Curecanti NRA
