CLEAR CREEK COUNTY - At Georgetown Loop railyard things are quiet and the trains are sitting empty.
Normally around this time of year, the two depots in Georgetown and Silver Plume are buzzing with activity as the engineers and employees race to open by Memorial Day weekend.
However, Spokesperson Tom Hill says this year the trains are running behind schedule.
"This time, we will not be able to open on Memorial Day weekend," said Hill.
The problem is that there have been several setbacks and delays over the winter months that have put work preparations on the engines behind schedule.
The main steam engine, number 12, is still being repaired after a hold up on parts.
"Even the weather we had in December inhibited the shipment of things," said Hill.
The backup train, a diesel engine that's also much smaller, isn't believed to be strong enough to sustain the rigors of daily service.
So the Georgetown Loop, the largest tourist attraction in Clear Creek County, won't be open until June 15, missing big Memorial Day crowds that Georgetown business owners like Jeannette Pederson were counting on.
"We have a lot of people come up to ride the train and they come and have a meal and wander around town," said Pederson.
In her downtown shop, Pederson has stocked the shelves with train and Georgetown Loop merchandise in hopes of selling it to energized crowds, still excited from riding an historic train.
In town, business owners and residents also planned on holding the annual Historic Railroad Days Celebration. Now the event will be without a running train, but residents say there will still be plenty to do,
"We're still celebrating Railroad Days. The town has a long history of railroads and mining so we'll have our pack burro races, we'll have a petting zoo, all sorts of activities including live music and bands," said Pederson.
The Georgetown Loop also plans on celebrating. They've taken out advertisements in Denver newspapers, and will open the car barn up so tourists can get a close up look at the trains.
Plus, engineers have been busy running the tracks in work cars, clearing away debris so that when they do open on June 15, business will be full steam ahead.
Additionally, the train plans on running later into the fall than usual.
"Right now we're planning on extending the season into the middle of October," said Hill.
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