The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has pushed back the start of its excursion season by nearly three weeks due to extreme wildfire danger.
The 64-mile steam-powered narrow gauge railroad, owned by the states of New Mexico and Colorado, now aims to begin its season on July 1 rather than the previously scheduled June 11 opening date. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission made the decision during an emergency meeting on June 1.
Officials said they were concerned about the possibility that the railroad could spark a wildfire, The Associated Press reported. “If we were to start a fire, I’m not sure we would be able to recover from that,” said Billy Elbrock, a railroad commissioner and a Chama, N.M., village trustee.
The railroad typically opens Memorial Day weekend. This year’s opening was already delayed while the railroad works to restore the Osier, N.M., dining hall that was damaged by a fire last year.
The D&S did all that. C&TS has converted the #489 to oil during it’s last FRA overhaul. C&TS also has two diesels that came from Hawaii. I have reservations, flight tickets etc. to be on the C&TS by July 1 and I volunteer as a docent for 2 weeks. July first was chosen because weather forecasts indicate that the Monsoon should be active by then, but if not ?? If I have to cancel, my next choice is the last 2 weeks of the season. I wonder if the two diesels (as far as I know they won’t MU) could pull a standard 8 car consist from Chama to Osier, and then the #489 run exclusively between Osier & Antonito. There is a turning loop & siding at Osier so some switching would be needed. Long term, C&TS needs to convert another engine to oil and perhaps see if the WP&Y has any more diesels for sale. And railfans, weep & wail all you wish but I would rather see the 480s burn oil than the railroad close it’s tracks. J. H. Sullivan, retired from CSX & Southern
It was my understanding the the D&S went to the trouble of converting two of their steam locomotives from coal to oil. To eliminate the sparks and cinder problem, starting fires. They also added a diesel to the fleet, to address the same problem.
After all this time and money spent on fire proofing the locomotives, they still don’t think its safe to run, because of fire dangers??