GEORGETOWN LOOP RAILROAD DELAYS SEASON OPENING GEORGETOWN, CO -- Business owners said they are upset over delays in opening the popular Georgetown Loop Railroad. Many shops and restaurants depend on tourist money brought in by the railroad. The Georgetown Loop traditionally opens Memorial Day weekend, but the main locomotive is being refurbished and won't be ready until next month. A back up engine is having mechanical problems. "Obviously it's not a good thing for us, or for the town," Georgetown store owner Gary Haines said. The train is now scheduled to begin running on June 15. Business owners hope the delay won't hurt them. "A lot of people from all over the country come up and ride the Georgetown Loop Railroad," store owner Gary Haines said. "It's about an hour ride and they also have the mine tours. It brings us a little bit more revenue when we do have that running." "Well, of course everyone's disappointed," store owner Carol Curran said. "We look forward to the Loop opening up, but you know these things happen." Curran said there is still plenty to do in the area. "The museums will be open, the Hotel De Paris, the Hamill House and the Energy Museum," Curran said. The business owners hope this weekend's Historic Georgetown and Mining Days Festival will still draw in the crowds with the other activities. - Andrea Lopez, KCNC-CBS TV4, Denver, CO
As noted in a different recent thread, I was under the impression their 2-6-2 was ready to roll? http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=87637 :sad: Boxcab E50
I was past there yesterday on my way back from Boulder. The depots looked like they were shut and no engines were present on the track. This does not bode well. I am planning on riding in the Fall...hopefully they will have all the bugs worked out by then. John
THIS MAKES ME SICK!!!!!!! :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: Looks like we need to start making "formal" complaints at the state level to see about getting a few folks fired over this. Yes, I mean it's time to start nailing folks at the Colorado Historical Society that are behind all this mess.
Although I agree that the CHS has some responsibility here, I don't think they can be cited as being behind the mess. The fact is that they do not own the railroad, nor do they really own the equipment. They are stewards of many of the buildings and equipment that have been listed as "Historical Properties" on the National Register of Historic Places. They provide some funding for restoration and maintenance (often through tax breaks). A similar situation would be if someone were living in a great big old Victorian era house in Denver. They could apply to the National Register to have it listed and to the CHS for funding to help restore the house to its former glory. Now we can not blame the CHS afterword if the owner does not keep the house properly painted and maintained. See? John
Please correct me if I'm wrong but I do believe that the CHS does own the equipment in question and they have made it impossible for the new operator to get it repaired as it was the CHS that turned down all the bids to get the equipment fixed in a timely fashion. The old operator did own the equipment that ran on the loop for the past several decades and it was the CHS that forced them out of the area because the CHS thought they knew how to run the loop themselves. Now that equipment sits in the CRRM yard and takes a few laps every so often.
More research on what CHS actaully owns (including the loop since 1959) Colorado Historical Society Rolling Stock Steam Locomotives Colorado & Southern Engine #9 Colorado & Southern Engine #74/30 Diesel/Electric Locomotives Colorado Fuel & Iron Engine #21 Colorado Fuel & Iron Engine #11 Passenger Cars Colorado Historical Society open gondola 111 (sale pending) Colorado Historical Society open gondola 112 (sale pending) Colorado Historical Society open gondola 113, Denver & Rio Grand Western #1057 Colorado Historical Society open gondola 114, Denver & Rio Grand Western #705 Colorado Historical Society open gondola 115, Denver & Rio Grand Western #746 Colorado Historical Society open gondola 116, Denver & Rio Grand Western #718 Passenger Coach Colorado & Southern #76 Mail Car Colorado & Southern #13 Caboose Denver & Rio Grand Western #0586 Speeder Car and Cart Colorado Historical Society speeder #1 BA&P hopper car #1027 Display Cars Box Car #3582 Flat Car #6302 Refrigerator Car #153 Stock Car #5701 Drop Bottom Gondola #824 ******* Source: Jan 21, 2005 CHS Press Release {I believe they since purchased #12 since this}
Has The Experiment Failed? Posted a consolidation of the reports, and some editorial, on my blog. Also have 2 other media article links. Has the great experiment by CHS failed? What do you guys think?
I will be e-mailing the folks I know up there next week to see what their stand on all this is. I recommend we all do. John
Would be good to hear their view on why this happened and how they think it will not happen again. :lightbulb: :lightbulb: :lightbulb: :lightbulb:
This is all so sad. They had an operator in place, doing what certainly appeared to be a decent job. Even with what they have now, this is a special, precious thing. Which I fear could be lost, if they're not careful. :sad: Boxcab E50
The universial karma forces are in play. BTW, CHS also owns the property the Loop is on and the mine. Eric
Haven't had a chance yet...too darned busy at work. I hope things mellow out tomorrow and I can send an e-mail er two... John
