Re: Georgetown Loop Lease Option

MarkG Wrote:
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> Just to clear up any misinformation, I spoke
> directly to Mr. Ed Nichols (president) at the
> Colorado Historical Society and again offered both
> our equipment (lease) and personnel to help save
> what was left of the 2007 season. After speaking
> with Phil Johnson, we figured that we could get
> all equipment and personnel in place over a two
> week time period. I made it clear that the only
> way in which a lease would be feasible, would be
> by having our, experienced staff in charge of
> operating our equipment. Under no circumstance
> would we allow anyone but Georgetown Loop
> Railroad, Inc. staff near the equipment. Mr.
> Nichols refused the offer due to the current
> contractual obligation with Railstar. The CHS is
> only interested in leasing equipment only and wish
> to run it themselves. Under no circumstance would
> we ever let them touch our equipment. When asked
> if the Colorado Historical Society ever wished to
> see trains operate as they had up until we left,
> he wouldn’t answer the question. The passion to
> run a successful steam operation seems to be gone.
>
> It sickens me to see what our company helped
> build, destroyed over 3-short years. The
> inconsistent operations of the new Georgetown Loop
> have the potential to have a negative impact on
> all of us in the scenic rail industry. The most
> important lesson to learn is that of what happens
> when a governmental organization tries to do what
> a successful private, for profit company did
> successfully for 32-years. All we wanted was
> another long-term lease and people who understood
> the value of a talented Colorado Company.
> I was hoping that under new leadership, the
> mission of the Colorado Historical Society would
> change course. It has not. Make no mistake, if the
> CHS chose to lease our equipment with our crews
> running the show, guests could once again be able
> to count on a dependable schedule and Georgetown
> merchants would see more travelers in their
> stores.
> To see monies from the State Historic Fund wasted
> on this project is infuriating. This money could
> be much better spent on other projects. Many
> dollars have been wasted here.
>
> Mark


Thanks for the up-date Mark. Sounds like the new president is not a step in the right direction.

How do we or at least the folks that are willing get his E-mail address??? If you know anybody that has it you can give them my toll free number and I will post it so they don't have to worry about anybody knowing where it came from.

Maybe if he with copies to the governors office get enough E-mails they may have second thoughts. I don't have any idea if it would do any good but I will send one and I will post the E-mail addresses if someone will get them to me.

The toll free # 1-800-982-8679