More Thursday morning rail news:
Colorado Railroad Museum sets debut for Rio Grande Southern No. 20
Rio Grande Southern No. 20 will make its public debut at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Colo., on Aug. 1, marking the conclusion of a 14-year, $1.5 million restoration for the narrow gauge 4-6-0 built in 1899. Built for the Florence & Cripple Creek, it was bought by the Rio Grande Southern after the F&CC ceased operations in 1915, and operated until the 1950s. First placed on display in Alamosa, Colo., it came to Golden when the Colorado Railroad Museum was established in 1959. Its restoration to operating condition began in 2006, and included 12 years undergoing work in Strasburg, Pa., before the disassembled locomotive was returned to Golden last year, where the restoration is being completed. The locomotive’s debut will be marked with a brief ceremony at 10 a.m., after which it will power rides around the museum grounds until 3 p.m. For more information on the locomotive and museum, visit the museum website.
KCS makes changes in executive ranks
Kansas City Southern has announced several changes in its executive ranks the company says are “designed to further support the ongoing Precision Scheduled Railroading strategies and provide development opportunities for several KCS leaders.” Mike Walczak, currently vice president mechanical operations, will move to a new position in finance, overseeing service design, car management, fuel management, treasury and tax. Darin Selby, currently vice president intermodal and automotive operations, will lead mechanical operations. Oliva Daily, currently assistant vice president service design, will become vice president purchasing; Bill Blaise, the current vice president purchasing, will retire Sept. 1. The changes were announced and effective on Wednesday.
Parking cuts proposed for LA Gold Line extension
The agency building an extension to LA Metro’s light rail Gold Line plans to cut parking by nearly 50% at five new stations, following direction from Metro that it was building too much parking and wanted a more environmentally friendly approach. The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reports the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority’s proposal will provide surface parking instead of parking garages at stations in Glendora, La Verne, San Dimas, and Pomona. The station in Claremont may still get a parking garage or could get a surface lot and some leased parking nearby. The changes would cut planned parking from 3,570 spaces to 1,959. The agency is soliciting public comment on the proposal until July 8.
