Just saw on Trainorders that this will be the last year for operations at the Georgetown Loop RR. Here is a link to the press relese. Sad to see another line go.
-Justin Franz

http://www.gtownloop.com/lastseason.htm
qcmrs18@yahoo.com

One can hope that this announcement is just a negotiating tactic by the operators. This line will be missed if this does turn out to be the final year.

> Just saw on Trainorders that this will be
> the last year for operations at the
> Georgetown Loop RR. Here is a link to the
> press relese. Sad to see another line go.
> -Justin Franz


Al's Rail Photos.
acp19809@yahoo.com

See other threads below for an earlier discussion of this news.


eledbetter@rypn.org

> Sad to see another line go.
> -Justin Franz

Well, the line itself isn't "going" anywhere. The current operator, Georgetown Loop Inc. [GLR], is leaving, which IS sad, given the 30 years of outstanding, professional service they've provided to the historic rail preservation/tourist rail community.

Colorado Historical Society, however, IS looking for a replacement operator. One can only hope that GLR's successor will run the line to the same high standards...

hi_plain@yahoo.com

> Well, the line itself isn't
> "going" anywhere.

Hi George, All of the operating equipment is privately owned by the Ashbys. If they leave, there won't be any trains left to run on the tracks. CHS owns a long caboose, in detertiorated condition, C&S #9, also in need of a full scale rebuild, and several passenger cars, that are restored, but not operable.
From what I have followed from the thread on NGDF, the line takes considerable upkeep to keep mother nature from reclaiming certain portions. If the line where to remain closed for any length of time, a new operator would be faced with restoring the physical plant as well as coming up with a narrow gauge train set to operate.
I hope that this turns out to be just a scare, and the GLRR continues on for many more decades as-is.

Mike
TWVRPS


yenko117@yahoo.com

> All of the operating equipment is
> privately owned by the Ashbys. If they
> leave, there won't be any trains left to run
> on the tracks.

True, but if I were in either the Ashbys' or CHS' shoes, I'd at least give first-right-of-refusal to acquire/lease a couple of operable cars and at least one of the NG diesels so that interim operations could continue next season.

> From what I have followed from the thread on
> NGDF, the line takes considerable upkeep to
> keep mother nature from reclaiming certain
> portions. If the line where to remain closed
> for any length of time, a new operator would
> be faced with restoring the physical plant
> as well as coming up with a narrow gauge
> train set to operate.

Perhaps the Boettcher Foundation might step up again with a grant to cover some of the interim/upkeep costs.

hi_plain@yahoo.com

Gentlemen -

Consider who has the resources to make a go of operating GLR.

American Heritage Railways certainly. I don't figure CATS, White Pass and Yukon or Sumpter Valley can spare any attention from their programming. The power at Roaring Camp is too small.

Tweetsie, Dollywood and theme parks - not a good match. Ditto Huckleberry.

It is possible that given enough capital, someone could build or repatriate adequate rolling stock to reliably perform on that punishing railroad and run a similarly intensive schedule which would be necessary to recover initial costs. There are more attractive investments with less potential difficulties and higher return.

Internationally, there may be more options.

Hopefully, CHS will learn that continuing to work with a proven winner beats starting over with a wannabe and the situation will be resolved.

Having worked with CHS before going to work for the Loop, penetrating the CHS bureaucracy does take some serious time and attention.

The fat lady han't sung yet but the orchestra is tuning up for the aria.

dave

irondave@bellsouth.net