C&TS

Frisco1522 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 08, 2021 3:54 pm

Posting over on Trainorders.com that Stathi Pappas has been fired. WTH???

jayrod · **Posted:** Wed Sep 08, 2021 4:08 pm

I guess we’ll find out if/when Stathi checks in here and deems it necessary to explain. Otherwise, it’ll be rumor and innuendo. And, it’s kinda none of our business.

Rick Rowlands · **Posted:** Wed Sep 08, 2021 4:18 pm

It is not rumor and innuendo. Mr. Pappas was fired from C&TS yesterday. Since the Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum has banned any discussion of this (which raises questions as to what is going on that they need to keep secret), discussion of this topic is welcome here.

Crescent-Zephyr · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 1:15 pm **Posts:** 1799

Who is he and what was his position at the railroad?

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2874

https://www.facebook.com/jerry.day.1426 ... 1716305222

"Jerry Day
5 hours ago

I am posting this here as the moderators of the Narrow Gauge Discussion Group are covering this up and Hiding it from the public. Stathi is a good guy and has been great for the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR.
Fellow Narrow Gaugers,
It is with EXTREME sadness that I report that Stathi Pappas has been fired from the C&TS. So much C&TS politics, so much nonsense. I have known Stathi for a few years due to his involvement with Chehalis Western and the former Simpson Timber Co. He is truly one of the hardest working humans I have ever known. He must work 10 + hour days at least 6 days a week. He is a very mellow straight talking person, but he has created some animosity by being very focused on FRA standards and his own locomotive/car rebuilding standards. This has created problems with some C&TS staff who often work at the “just good enough” standard. SO, they fired him basically for being too focused on “doing things right”. BUT, this does NOT mean that he has ever been a dictatorial jerk like a few people can be when they have exacting standards.
The real tragedy, is that this may lead the C&TS down the ugly pathway they were in when being run by Bartholemew (sp?) when the 484 was dumped over near Los Pinos. WHAT TO DO?? Please write, call, or talk in person to the state commissioners, people in the “Friends” or anyone else of authority that can help save the C&TS from the “just good enough” / “payday is on Friday” mentality.
FWIW,
Bill Busacca"

Chris Webster · **Joined:** Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:45 am **Posts:** 1087

Rick Rowlands wrote:

Since the Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum has banned any discussion of this (which raises questions as to what is going on that they need to keep secret)

I explained why posts were removed in my Admin - Terminations & Other Adverse Personnel Actions sticky post that is at the top of the NGDF's main page:

Sticky Post on the Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum wrote:

I've hidden multiple posts and threads about the discharge of an employee.

Do not post gossip about terminations and other adverse personnel actions here. It is inappropriate.

If someone wants to announce to the world they were terminated, that is fine - but it is not your decision to make for them. Respect their privacy.

I am surprised that RYPN does not have a similar policy.

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2874

Crescent-Zephyr wrote:

Who is he and what was his position at the railroad?

Copied and pasted from his facebook page:

"Chief Mechanical Officer at Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Assistant General Manager at Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
President at Stockton Locomotive Works
Former Curator at Northwest Railway Museum
Worked at Roaring Camp Railroads
Former Chief Mechanical Officer at Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad
Worked at Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad
Former Steam Locomotive Machinist/Mechanic at Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad
Former Boilermaker/Machinist at LIP Industries
Former Steam Locomotive Mechanic at Mt. Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum
Former Steam Locomtive Machinist/Mechanic at Chelatchie Locomotive
Studied Historial Archaeology and Anthropology at University of Nevada, Reno
Studied Industrial archaeology at Michigan Technological University
Studied Anthropology at UC Berkeley
Went to Lincoln High School
Lives in Alamosa, Colorado
From Stockton, California"

Funny thing is he just recently made some rather routine posts, one about bearing babbitt, another only eight hours ago about some mechanical problems on D&RG 168 a few days back https://www.facebook.com/stathi.pappas/ ... 8835258351 I'll bet he didn't see it coming, whatever the excuse for giving him the sack.

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

I believed he also privately restored an 0-4-0T. The name "Chiggin" comes to mind. Do I have that right?

Les

QJdriver · **Posted:** Wed Sep 08, 2021 7:03 pm

Crescent-Zephyr · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 1:15 pm **Posts:** 1799

I just looked him up on Facebook.... I didn’t know his name but I had many encounters with him during the Victorian roundup and he impressed me greatly. He seemed to be an incredibly hard worker, and extremely knowledgeable about the C&TS. I mentioned to someone after the event that he and Carlos seemed to be the 2 people holding that entire operation together.

co614 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 08, 2021 8:02 pm

One of the few pluses of living a long time is it gives you some wisdom that comes with experiences.

I've learned that there is ALWAYS two sides to every story. And, unless you've heard both sides completely it's smart to reserve judgement.

I do not know Mr. Pappas but with his excellent CV he'll have lots of good offers now that he is a free agent. I wish him well and also hope the C&T finds a capable replacement.

Ross Rowland

Crescent-Zephyr · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 1:15 pm **Posts:** 1799

Chris Webster wrote:

I am surprised that RYPN does not have a similar policy.

Ah yes! Censorship!

Rick Rowlands · **Posted:** Wed Sep 08, 2021 8:22 pm

When a well respected and accomplished figure at an important rail historical operation is terminated so soon after the successful completion of a major event and to the total surprise of just about everyone, it indeed is news and worthy of discussion. Something just doesn't feel right about this entire issue. Mr. Pappas was not just another employee. Would 168 have been restored if he was not there? Would the Iron Horse Roundup have happened?

I have never met him but did buy some staybolts from him for 58. I have followed what he has accomplished over the past several years at the C&TS and know that he is someone who gets things done. His departure from C&TS may have a profound effect on the near term future of that property and the equipment on site. I would say that it certainly affects the preservation of Colorado narrow gauge and therefore is of interest to this forum.

Crescent-Zephyr · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 1:15 pm **Posts:** 1799

Very well said Rick! I will also say that if you had met him and watched him work during the recent roundup you would be even more impressed.

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2874

Lost in editing.