Robart was an early advocate for saving the Colorado narrow gauge, and his work ultimately led to the creation of today’s Cumbres & Toltec Scenic. He was among the group that reactivated the railroad in 1970. He was an outstanding photographer and documented the last days of the Rio Grande’s narrow gauge freight operations. His images were the highlight of an evening of entertainment during Trains magazine’s August 2018 “Last freight over Cumbres Pass” photo charter event.
He was the past treasurer for the New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society, and just last summer hand painted the huge numbers on the tender of restored Santa Fe 4-8-4 No. 2926.
Robart was stricken Dec. 18 while driving on I-40, and passed away Dec. 24. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.
Ernest W. Robart was a nice fellow, exceptionally nice. He had friend all over the World, in Europe, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Alaska and beyond. He mostly lived in Albuquerque and a short while near Grand Junction, CO. He was a cartographer, a photographer, a railfan, and most of his income was from being a projectionist. He was nearly poor most of his life, but he managed to travel extensively and use his time very skillfully and lived life to the fullest. He was interested in many attractions the world over and narrow gauge railroad of the San Juan area was of prime concern. He was a hiker and climbed every one of the 14,000’peaks in Colorado and some several times, by the rules. Sometimes he got dizzy and had to turn back and climb them later. There are 53 peaks of that height in CO and then he climbed many lesser heights in New Mexico. He also traveled to old Mexico and climbed the highest in that country, 18,700’ volcano using oxygen. Many of his friends were hiking buddies and gals.
Besides all the above, he is in this Train News Wire because of his love for the Denver & Rio Grande Western wooden narrow gauge trains that operated 300 miles in the San Juan Country of SW Colorado and NW New Mexico, 3 hours from his home. He extensively photographed the last three years of NG revenue operations and documented every move. He also explored and mapped almost all abandoned railroad, common-carrier and logging line, in New Mexico and the four-corner area. He knew more about NG logging RR than anyone, except maybe Joe Hereford. He made maps for several authors and publishers. His largest was for Mal Ferrell’s “Silver San Juan” of the RGS RR. He made many maps for Dell McCoy’s Sundance series of “RGS Story” including the New Mexico Lumber Co. The Montezuma Lumber Co. and Lake City Branch of D&RG. His most used map was his creation of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR map, made to encourage its creation and rebirth following D&RGW abandonment in 1968. He was a major contributor to the New Mexico Railroad Club publication and was an important contributor in creation with others of the “Narrow Gauge RR Association”. In 1970 he was a major volunteer who helped rebuild the track near Chama to put the line back in service. He spiked track with a spike maul. He worked several of the equipment moving trains in Sept-Oct 1970 to secure most of the equipment in Chama. His letter writing efforts resulted in the return of D&RG 463 from California to Antonito. He seldom worked the engine cab or train cars and had to turn down a job offer because it was only a part year job. But he was so active behind the scene, much of the C&TS survived and the Friends of the C&TS also took hold, and all resulted in success of his life time goal or dream. For a while Ernie also worked for Amtrak until medical reasons and demands of the job made him resign and return to his projectionist job for a major theater of Albuquerque. He just left us and his wife way too early. I miss him terribly. Green signals up the Chili line and Valley Line to Heaven
This is a sad day…but the C&T lives on and will be his legacy.
The above comments are general in nature and do not form the basis for an attorney/client relationship. They do not constitute legal advice. I am not your attorney. Find your own damn shyster.