The simple answer is "NO" the Loop
won't survive! At least it won't if the status quo isn't changed! Let's take a look at some hard facts:
1. The CHS owns the Loop and gives Railstar it's marching orders. This also includes the financial strings so even if there is competent help working on maintenance there may be no money for it! (Gleaned from posts by ex-Railstar employees.)
2. The #12 is too light to handle the Loop without maxing it's capacity or adding a diesel to help! The engine has to stop just short of the last turn into Silver Plume in order to raise steam(!!) This was with five cars which seems to be about all that the litle girl can routinely carry! Half of the load that the previous operator's engines could carry and breakdowns and defferred maintenance causing nearly a 30% downtime for this operating season doesn't look good from a contracted operator's viewpoint!
3. Training has been sporadic with questionable practices inferred by ex-employees. Even if new employees are top notch and working their butts off to make this operation the best it possibly can be (and to which I personally think is the case) there still is a learning curve that is proving to be
very steep!
4. While the presidency has changed, Bell and Behrens are still running the show. This one more than anything else destroys any hope for the Loop's long-term success IMHO!
5. As a consequence of #4, even though there is proper equipment with trained operators ready and able to help the Loop out of it's jam, the CHS will continue on it's downward spiral because of pride and possibly spite!
6. Railstar despite claims of profit can not be making much money on this operation! Any profit this year will be from hand-outs from the CHS's funds which could have and
should have been used elsewhere! Sooner or later this skulduggery will come to light and those funds that have flowed so freely will dry up like a creek in a hot summer drought!
7. When it all comes crashing down what will be the public's viewpoint? "Oh darn, that's too bad but obviously it was a major drain on our economy so why not sell the land to make condos and CDOT can finally widen I-70! My what thoughtful and smart politicians we have! After all, it's not like we don't have other steam trains running in Colorado..." The fact that the Loop was a 1st class operation and a "cash cow" under the previous operators rather than the money pit it has become will be swept under the rug and the gullible public will suck it up without so much as a burp!
8. Last point: What happens when Railstar pulls out? There's nobody stupid enough to want to take on this albatross under these conditions! If nothing changes then this operation is going under in three years or less!
This is a grim scenario. The only way that I see the Loop surviving is to re-adopt the old policy that worked. Go back to the negotiating table and ask for bids. Invite GTL Inc. to bid
and negotiate in good faith! Let bygones be bygones and work together and this operation will not only be saved but will be profitable within those same three years! The choice is up to the CHS though....
