From the Rocky Mountain News - July 16, 2005 Georgetown tourist railroad deemed 'good' after repairs By Joe Garner The Georgetown Loop Railroad received a good evaluation from federal safety officials Friday, a week after an engine derailed while pulling a train packed with tourists. "The general condition of this insular tourist railroad is good, and it is obvious that the management and employees are working hard to improve the condition more," Federal Railroad Administration chief inspector Mike Ramsey wrote in an inspection report, according to a news release by the Colorado Historical Society. The society owns the park land at the historic site and the 3.1-mile, narrow-gauge mountain railroad, about 45 miles west of Denver. It is being operated by Railstar Corp. this summer, the first summer that Railstar has been in charge. The inspection was prompted by the July 8 derailment of the lead engine on an afternoon trip, although no passengers were injured. A second engine backed the cars about three miles down the twisting roadbed to the depot. Full service resumed two days later after Railstar replaced about 20 deteriorated ties in the roadbed. The FRA considers the railroad "insular" because it is not connected to the national railway system, so the agency does not routinely inspect it.
Given what was reported I think this was something that they need to keep a closer watch over in the future. We had a ton a rain this spring and now several days of 90+ as well as a 102 last week. Great that nobody was hurt other than a missed train ride.
