I haven't seen this posted here yet .... ergo.... not good news. Bob H------Cumbres & Toltec lays off workersNovember 15, 2005The Associated PressCHAMA, N.M. - The company that manages the cash-strapped Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has pulled out, causing the layoffs of all but nine machinists.On the NetCumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad: www.cumbrestoltec.com/The railroad had employed an estimated 25 people during the offseason, said Steve Malnar, executive director of the four-member commission that oversees the railroad.Paul Schrank, the general manager of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, hadn't heard about the layoffs. "We'd certainly like to see the résumés of the people who have some specialized skills," he said. However, he added that the D&SNG is not likely to hire additional employees until the summer season begins.The Chama-based Rio Grande Railway Preservation Corp., which has operated the scenic railroad for the past several years, notified the commission last month that it was leaving.Malnar said he is cautiously optimistic the train will run next year.The 64-mile narrow-gauge railroad, which chugs between Chama, in northern New Mexico, and Antonito, in south-central Colorado, is owned by the states of Colorado and New Mexico. The train runs between late May and October.Carl Turner, one of two New Mexico commissioners, said the coal-fired steam engines will be ready to go next year."We're going to invest the money to have those engines ready so that the railroad will operate, and I'm sure it will," he said. "I'm not sure how we're going to do it, but I have eternal confidence."The nonprofit management company contended the commission had not provided the money it had promised for the train, Turner said.The company also contended the commission had not provided it with liability insurance, he said.The insurance glitch arose when the commission changed to New Mexico's state risk-management system, Turner said. The problem, he said, has been worked out.The funding shortfall was caused in part by Colorado's failure to contribute its share of funding for the train, he said.The compact governing the railroad requires both states to split expenses.Since fiscal 2003-2004, Colorado has contributed $790,000, while New Mexico has kicked in $2.89 million, Turner said.The management company also overestimated the number of riders for this season, said Malnar, who is leaving as director at the end of November to return to Minnesota.The company anticipated 45,000 riders but ended up with about 33,000, causing a revenue shortfall, he said."There was a discussion as to whether the commission wanted to retain the current management company," Malnar said. "The company decided it wanted to terminate the agreement."The likelihood of finding another company to manage the railroad for the next season is not good, he said."Now we're faced with the idea that the commission is going to have to take this over and operate this at least for the 2006 season," Malnar said.The train's status depends on how much money the states contribute, he said.The commission is asking for a special appropriation of $870,000 to split between the two states, Malnar said Wednesday.Herald Staff Writer Ann Butler contributed to this report. --------------

I wasn't aware that the Railroad kept it's entire work force (25 people) through the winter months when the aren't operating trains?To me, it would seem normal for them to lay off all but bare minimum during the winter months.Now, had they laid everyone off, including the shop staff, that would cause some concern to me.....maybe I'm wrong?Is it me, or is this whole situation a good example of how a state by state funded "National" passenger rail transporation system would wind up working if Bush gets his way with Amtrak?....Seems that it has always been that NM has kicked in the most money and CO is always lagging behind in it payments. Also, 33,000 passengers the entire season?...something seems off with that figure. I know of a few local operations running weekends only that haul that many people...I was under the impression that C&TS was doing well this season ....but that number of people with how many operating days? I realize that they only operate one train a day out of each end, but those numbers don't seem right.What gives?

For solid information about what is going on at the CATS go to the following site: http://www.ngdeadgoatsaloon.com/ . There have been problems brewing all summer due to lack of funding on the part of the State of Colorado as well as internal problems between the commissioners and the operator. This came to a head when they were unable to work things out and the money got tighter. The problems the railroad is facing have not been caused by any one group, individual, or govt. agency but rather a culmination of a lot of things. The bottom line is to not point fingers but solve the problems and get the two states back into a mode of cooperation and funding on an equal basis so the railroad can be operated next season.