Steam & Excursion > Cumbres & Toltec announces end of steam operations not!

Richard Tower, Vice President and Treasurer of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Management Corp. today announced the railroad is suspending all steam operations immediately.

“We just read the reasons for the Grand Canyon Railway eliminating their steam program, such as saving water and petroleum and being kinder to the environment, and I guess that works for us too”, Tower said.

“I had thought we were trying to preserve a piece of America’s past, but apparently this other stuff is more important,” Tower told reporters.

Starting next week, the railroad will begin using work train diesel #19, which will pull two loaded passenger cars up the 4% grade between Chama and Cumbres. “I think it will pull four on the westbound trip from Antonito, so you’ve got a better chance of getting a ticket from there”, Tower said.

Like the Grand Canyon Railway, the C&TS plans to lay off a significant number of employees. “In fact”, said Tower, “we might as well lay them all off, me included, since without steam, there’s not much point now, is there?”

RL Cabin

ps: (6:48PM) I've read a few replies to this message where people think what I wrote above may be the truth. Actually, it's just satire, meant to poke a sharp stick at the Grand Canyon Railway for their bad decision and even worse explanation as to why they did it. But don't worry about the C&TS. We just brought our 4th steam locomotive into service and will probably start work on a 5th this winter. Our steam program is alive and well, and we hope people who may have thought of riding the GCRY may now come to southern Colorado/northern New Mexico.

RL Cabin

Man am I so happy to hear this. Now we can preserve them better for future generations by sticking all of these steamers back in parks.

-Joe

This fine nugget no doubt precedes an announcement to be made next week regarding standard-gauging and electrification of the historic route. Woohoo! ex-Mexican E60Cs and old commuter coaches!

;>~ Gotta admit, the headline got my attention...

I totally agree with Mr. Tower's reasoning!

I'm glad more operations are seeing that the Nimbys have been right all along.

Dannnng, didn't know it was 4/1 ?? :P

is the durango and silverton next on the program

ALCO SMOKE WITH RS3's converted to Narrow Gauge TO SILVERTON WOULD BE NICE

Is this for real?!

Didn't they just finish a $1M refurbishment of one of the K-36s?

Their web site doesn't mention this (yet):
https://cumbrestoltec.com/

Jamie

They belong in parks anyway. Steam engines are stupid and inefficient machines. Bring on the diesels.



Jeff - I dont like working on 2472 anyway..they force me I tell you...force me...

Al Gore and his ilk are dancing in the streets of Chama and Antonito.

Right....Chama & Antonito would totally die off.

wjamief Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Is this for real?!

Nah, RL thought this was April 1, or at least was making a bold parody of the GCRY decision. :)

NDHolmes Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> wjamief Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Is this for real?!
>
> Nah, RL thought this was April 1, or at least was
> making a bold parody of the GCRY decision. :)


Thank you, Nathan. I thought GCRY deserved this based on the incredibly stupid letter they are sending people who question their decision to drop steam. I couldn't wait until 4/1/09! The C&TS may have its problems, but thank God we are not controlled by a large corporation.

Anyway, if enough people start believing my post, I'll have to edit it! <g>

RL Cabin

Doh!

Jamie

This is full of crap.

“We just read the reasons for the Grand Canyon Railway eliminating their steam program, such as
saving water and petroleum and being kinder to the environment, and I guess that works for us too”,
Tower said.

From what I remember, the C&T engines are all coal burners. Water is a renewable resource (unless you drink it). Because steam is evaporated water, which is the same as clouds. The clouds bring rain, it flows through the Chama River, into the water tower, and poured into the engine's tender.


Starting next week, the railroad will begin using work train diesel #19, which will pull two loaded
passenger cars up the 4% grade between Chama and Cumbres. “I think it will pull four on the
westbound trip from Antonito, so you’ve got a better chance of getting a ticket from there”,
Tower said.

The C&T runs two trains a day, each with 7 or 8 cars. If 19 is pulling the 2-car Chama train, what's going to pull the 2-car Antonito train?

Like the Grand Canyon Railway, the C&TS plans to
lay off a significant number of employees. “In
fact”, said Tower, “we might as well lay them
all off, me included, since without steam,
there’s not much point now, is there?”

Tower, please confess that this is a prank you're pulling on us. I certainly didn't fall for it.

576 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is full of crap.
>
> Tower, please confess that this is a prank you're
> pulling on us. I certainly didn't fall for it.

Yes. I confess!

Tower

They is nothing on the C&TSRR web site about this! So is it a rumor or for real. Glad I wrote another story about it back in July.

http://www.trainweb.org/chris


Chris

576 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
Water is a renewable resource (unless you
> drink it).

What? Are you retaining your water? I usually get the urge to release some of my water a couple times a day, at least the extra that didn't get let off as sweat. Don't get around sharp objects, you might spring a leak!

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

Anything on the internet is true !! You know that !!

Mudrock Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> They is nothing on the C&TSRR web site about this!
> So is it a rumor or for real. Glad I wrote another
> story about it back in July.
>
> http://www.trainweb.org/chris
>
>
> Chris
Web sites always trail behind by a few days... while they try to get in touch with their tech person.

I read the title and went immediately to the bottom to look for the disclaimer. I applaud your effort and intentions wholeheartedly!

As much as I doubted your ploy, I sadly admit I had to dig deeper
rather then simply dismiss.

As I mentioned elsewhere, the line was sold by those who love the
railroad to those who love the money.

Maybe the railroad would be open to some special events - they could
make a fortune running a few farewell to Steam runs and then perhaps
run on special occasion.

Mitch