Gtown Loop still not running

The loop still isn't running trains. Looks like another non-revenue generating weekend. For those of us that are into trains, that no big deal as we will still be interested in the line. But for the regular tourist that comes to town for the day, this is becoming a real disappointment. People are not coming to town anymore because of the spotty schedule.

I was at the park yestarday with my daughter and was talking to a grandfather of two boys that were also playing in tne park. He told me he brought the boys up to ride the train. He doen't follow trains much so he didn't knwo the line was shut down. I'm guessing most of the riders are similar to this man - just regular tourists looking for a fun train ride. He told me next time he wasn't going to waste the trip just so his grandsons can play in a park.

Eric

 

Grr!!!!!!!

They can't keep operating this way while the old equipment just sits idle and could have still benn running and bring in $$$ to the local economy as well as enjoyment for Railfans everywhere.

Might be time for the people of Georgetown to have a talk with some folks about replacing this operator if they can't resolve these issues quickly and permenantly.

:angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: ​

 

This reminds me of the times that the Cumbres and Toltec has been shut down for fire danger or other reasons. It hurt in the short run, but with carefully placed advertizement, they have always bounced back, lets hope that true here too
John

 

Problem is right now they are getting "negitive" news down in Denver and around the world at site like this which is bad for business.

Ken, what also hurts is there are many people in Denver, etc. that go to these towns on weekends year around and have the trains not running will cause us to go to other towns which hurts their economy well past the normal summer months. Why drive up to GT to photograph the train to find it not running or running a desiel engine at $3.10/GAL so that means to Lunch, etc. being spent there either. I have yet to go to GT since the change and each time I think I might they are not running or running the diesel so we don't go.

 

Maybe the operators should use this as an opportunity...play on the need for more funding to keep the line going with such old equipment? Organize a rail day where fans can come and see the locos in the shop or on the sidings up close. Yeah they are not running but they are still very cool to see and photograph. I dunno...as a small business owner I am always thinkng about how to turn bad luck into good things
John

 

The only doubt I can see is "is this thing safe for me and my kids to ride?" That one will be tough to overcome. I turn to the Durango and Silverton as an example though. They had a derailment a few years ago. In railroad terms nothing serious, but some folks got hurt. The press moved in like sharks to chum. The PR department did some artful "damage control" and the line went on. Were there folk who decided not to ride after the event? Sure, but I think it had minimal impact in the long run. A broken axle and a walk could be spun as sort of an adventure for the GTL, if the operators can step back and look at how to make it positive. How about press? It was some huge mogul once said "bad press is better than no press" and that could be the case here. Folks who have never heard of the line will now hear about it. A few years from now they will remember that there was some trouble, but mainly they will remember the name as they plan their Colorado vacation...or at least that how it can work in theory
John

 

Boy John, I'm not so sure about that. I don't think the execs at Dell feel that way right now. I also know people that still wont buy certain makes of autos because of past issues (Jaguar comes to mind). Right now, I wouldn't feel comfortable riding the Loop. They have yet to show me that they can be consistant. Does this inconsistancy bleed over into their safety procedures as well? I don't know but I'm not willing to bet my life on it right know.

Eric

 

I know, pretty fanciful, but I guess what I am saying is the execs better get to thinking about damage control...
John

 

Keep Us Posted

Please keep us posted on this, Eric.

Could someone list the specific ailments affecting each engine and what the prognosis is?

 

You will Love this; look what was running at the CRRM Today

Yes, this is the OLD Georgetown Loop #40 and Cars running around the loop within the CRRM Yard for today's Steam Up.

​

 

Great to see it running...too bad its not ON the Loop
John

 

Man, I love that #40. IIRC it was a refurbed loco from South America. Glad to see it still running.

I'm not sure which loco was running today but it was a steam loco. I can hear the wistles from my house. However, I was stuck with a bunch of honey-do's today so I didn't get a chance to check it out. I'l try to get up there tomorrow.

As far as whats broken, one of the axles on #12 snaped. It was an original part. I don't know what it takes to fix that sort of thing.

On the 44 tonner - a traction motor blew.

#9 was awaiting a boiler re-inspection earlier this week.

Eric

 

Yep, not like they can run down to the axle store Unless they got a set of extras that I don't know about, it will of course have to be manufactured. Any one know where that work would be done...Denver ??

Good to hear that something was shakin' up there today. Please do let us know what you find out.
john

 

I can tell you that here a while back when we rode the loop #9 was a little over an hour late picking us up at the mine. We were told that they were having trouble with the fire box and not to worry because the diesel would come get us if they couldn't get it fixed.

Ben

 

Any Activity

Is there any activity out there on the loop? Are they still dead in the water?