Details on Thomas coming to Durango, also repairs to Pullman Dover Harbor. See below link.

http://railroadnews.net/news/5-31.html
ryarger@rypn.org

From the article
>It is the first visit to Colorado for Thomas, and tickets to ride a train powered by the smiley-faced engine are being snapped up rapidly, said Mary Jo Rakowski, marketing manager for the railroad.

>"Thomas the Tank Engine has never been this far west," she said."It is usually an East Coast event." As of Wednesday, 7,000 tickets had been sold, she said.

Never this far west?? One of Durango's Thomas' is currently at Heber Valley. A few weeks ago it was at Grand Canyon. I seem to remember that California (CSRM?) had their days of Thomas a little while ago--so that's three locations further west than Durango.

Let me echo comments made previously on the board. The numbers can be astounding. Our first two days' total was over 4800 and tomorrow (all trips sold out)will double that number to over 9000.

Some of the activities that are available as we have set up here at Heber Valley (I have starred the ones that come with the package):

*1. Pictures with Sir Topham Hatt and Thomas (between runs)
*2. Crayon coloring pictures of Thomas
*3. Tables of TOMY Thomas trainsets (with Video showing)
*4. Thomas balloons
*5. The Thomas Emporium of exclusive (not to be found in stores) memorabilia.
*6. Face "painting" with temporary tatoos of Thomas and Friends.
7. Cab visits to UP 618 and GW 75 via redwood decks built for the occasion.
8. Pictures with Mr Conductor--I'll be famous ;-)
9. Free rides on a rubber-tired parking lot/parade train.
10. Visits to UP's first all-steel caboose 3700.
11. Free entertainment (musicians, magician, ballon-tieing clown)

Remember to gear your "Day with Thomas" to families. Have plenty of picture taking opportunities. Bring in the port-a-potties, drinking fountains (we had record setting temperatures these first two days), diaper changing facilities. Arrange to increase your garbage pick-up service. Have attendants do a walkthrough cleaning of your train after each run. Plan your traffic flow for boarding and deboarding trains. Of course above all, Safety First!

'doc' lewis



Heber Valley Railroad
utweyesguy@aol.com

Parking, don't forget about parking.....

TVRM Shop Updates
aw90h@cs.com

We currently have the 36" Thomas. Let me tell you i have never seen crowds like we have had in the 6 years ive been on the TRR engine crew. As of today we had run the Thomas train over 180 miles in 5 days. We hauled 5300 on saturday. We expect to haul nearly 7000 this saturday. As of today we have hauled 12000 in 5 days. The Thomas is very well built in goes around our 22 degree curves very well. We are pushing it with #12 and pulling 5 cars with it up a 5.125% grade. As of today we have burnt 19 tons of coal in 5 days. Normally we burn maybe 8-9 in 5 days. I wish Durango good luck with it. I know it has been the biggest thing to hit the NC Mtns since the Ghost Train started 11 yrs ago.

tssmith@boone.net