Here is a lowdown on some of what was said at the Loop Committee meeting:
Jim Poston/CHRPPA questions were answered. I can not go over all 18 excellent questions here but here are some hi-lites.
The 12 is the one and only steam projected for the 2007 season. The 21 and 1203 are the diesels. The #12 axle bid was awarded to Rod Mangels and is expected to be completed by the end of April. The 1203 is expected to arrive on site by the first week of May. The 21 is fully operational and ready to go and is scheduled for its annual assessment. The plan is to rehab #9 and that is expected to take some time. #111 just isn't in the near forecast.
Per Railstar they were down 12 full days and 3 half days and estimated a loss of 9000 passengers. Their ridership was reported at 72,617. Their 2007 goal is 80,000. They expect 80% of their employees to return and will have to hire 8 more. Senior management was reported as unchanged. Maintenance and operational logs are not public info until they are turned in the CHS. Railstar keeps the logs for at least 2 years for reference.
The CHS reported that they have spent over 3 million on the project thus far. Full track inspection has been scheduled along with bridge inspections. Lee Behrens has not retired (contrary to popular rumor).
I think that is a fair assessment of the information given. Feel free to email or post a specific question.
Those in attendence included several local business owners, Sara Walen (Silver Plume rep), Frank Young (Silver plume rep), Bob Bowland (I.S. rep), Larry from Railstar (I'll be darned if I can remember his last name right now!), Lee Behrens (CHS), Joe Bell (CHS), Jenette Peterson (Georgetown Rep), Ed Ellis (CHS Board member), Laurie (CHS marketing), Dan Abbott (Railstar), Terry Van Schwartz (sp?), Mark Graybill (Loop Concessionaire - ex-Loop committee chairman), John Hammond (THE GLRR), Ron Ruhoff (THE GLRR).
