Passenger Trains > Train to Creede?

I recall reading something about the Rio Grande Scenic running a rail car to Creede? But I don't see anything on their web site. Plenty in the news however about the politics of the locals not wanting the tracks in use within the city limits. Hm, weren't the tracks there long before they were? Anyway, any info on this would be appreciated as I'll be in Colorado for a charter on the C&T next month.

THANKS

Rio Grande Scenic is really the passenger arm of the San Luis & Rio Grande, which owns the Alamosa lines from just outside Walsenburg on the east to South Fork on the west (as well as the line south to Antonito).

The line you're talking about (the western end of the D&RGW Creede Branch, from South Fork over to just outside Creede) is owned by Don Shank's Denver & Rio Grande Historical Foundation. They offer trips on an old spiker that's been modified as a passenger vehicle. It's actually a pretty cool trip, especially during the fall.

Yes, the granola crunching whiny ass NIMBY's tore out the last mile of track into their town. I wrote an email to the chamber of commerce about a year ago explaining how short sighted they were and the fact that a future tourist train could bring an influx of cash into their fair town. Of course they never got around to replying to my note. I love the area but I'll never drop a dime in the idiotic town of Creede. However, if needed, I will gladly take a leak there when passing through, preferably on the steps of city hall.
Steve B.


andersonb109 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I recall reading something about the Rio Grande
> Scenic running a rail car to Creede? But I don't
> see anything on their web site. Plenty in the news
> however about the politics of the locals not
> wanting the tracks in use within the city limits.
> Hm, weren't the tracks there long before they
> were? Anyway, any info on this would be
> appreciated as I'll be in Colorado for a charter
> on the C&T next month.
>
> THANKS



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/14/11 18:42 by stevelv.

stevelv Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes, the granola crunching whiny ass NIMBY's tore
> out the last mile of track into their town. I
> wrote an email to the chamber of commerce about a
> year ago explaining how short sighted they were
> and the fact that a future tourist train could
> bring an influx of cash into their fair town. Of
> course they never got around to replying to my
> note. I love the area but I'll never drop a dime
> in the idiotic town of Creede. However, if
> needed, I will gladly take a leak there when
> passing through, preferably on the steps of city
> hall.
> Steve B.
>
>

This kind of thinking doesn't do much to endear us to those who are not rail enthusiasts.

While its disappointing when tourist train opportunities are precluded when tracks are removed, it's not as if there are not other great tourist rail opportunities in Southern Colorado.

Based on the first post of the following thread, the entire community of Creede cannot be so easily dismissed as a bunch of whiny granola-crunching NIMBYs.

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,1680526,1683444#msg-1683444



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/15/11 18:10 by RuleG.

I have seen that thread. I wish I had time to research some articles I have read in the past. There are certain people in the hierarchy of that town that have an attitude pretty much to the tune of "we are here, this is our town, and everyone else can stay the hell out" including the railroad of course.

RuleG Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> stevelv Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Yes, the granola crunching whiny ass NIMBY's
> tore
> > out the last mile of track into their town. I
> > wrote an email to the chamber of commerce about
> a
> > year ago explaining how short sighted they were
> > and the fact that a future tourist train could
> > bring an influx of cash into their fair town.
> Of
> > course they never got around to replying to my
> > note. I love the area but I'll never drop a
> dime
> > in the idiotic town of Creede. However, if
> > needed, I will gladly take a leak there when
> > passing through, preferably on the steps of
> city
> > hall.
> > Steve B.
> >
> >
>
> This kind of think doesn't do much to endear us to
> those who are not rail enthusiasts.
>
> While its disappointing when tourist train
> opportunities are precluded when tracks are
> removed, it's not as if there are not other great
> tourist rail opportunities in Southern Colorado.
>
> Based on the first post of the following thread,
> the entire community of Creede cannot be so easily
> dismissed as a bunch of whiny granola-crunching
> NIMBYs.
>
> http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,1
> 680526,1683444#msg-1683444

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, their last train of the year preceeds my visit to Colorado by a few days. Sounds like they are trying to run an actual train in future seasons. Too bad a few are standing in their way to cover the track all the way to Creede. As I said previously, the railroad was there first.

After having talked about this with my brother at length, I don't think Creede is so much against the train as they are against the gentleman that tried to push the people of the town around. He threatened the town and the historical society with lawsuits, etc. Not the way to win friends and influence people.

Regards,
Burlington John

well mr shank probably thought he was right, people just took over the the row and view as theirs