The Georgetown Loop Railroad is closing down this winter, and may not reopen next year (or ever again). The Colorado Historical Society owns the land and the buildings for the Railroad. They contract out to a private concessionaire to operate this wonderful attraction. Since the reopening of the line in 1975 the same company, the Georgetown Loop Railroad, Inc. has provided the service. IIn addition to operating the line, the GLRR also provides the equipment. After thirty years of success the Colorado Historical Society has forced the GLRR to walk away. By putting extremely unreasonable demands, the least of which is to turn over 70% of any profit to the society, the Colorado Historical Society has lost its operator. Now this is no ordinary operator. The owners of the GLRR are the original people who conceived reopening the line in 1972. These people worked for years, raising money, buying equipment, laying track, and building the Devil's Gate bridge at a cost of over a million dollars. Its a shame to see this scenic wonder of Colorado go away.
I have heard many rumors and stories as to why this is happening. But it a nut shell the current people involved in running the Colorado Historical Society want a new operator. Now where they are going to find one who also has the appropriate equipment is a mystery. In all likelihood, if the line does continue operating, it will be under diesel power. It just won't be the same.
I have met several of the people involved in operating the GLRR, and they strongly desire to continue providing the excellent service they have for 30 years. The GLRR is a family run business, and it shows. Every employee I have ever dealt with has been nothing but professional. And its obvious these people love their jobs.
So what can you do? No, I'm not going to ask you for money, this isn't a money issue. Send letters and / or emails to the powers that be. I would suggest contacting the Colorado Historical Society Board of directors and the CHS Loop Committee Board members. Their contact info can be found here:
http://www.ngdiscussion.net/cgi-bin/NGDFcook.pl?read=46146
If you have any contacts with the any Colorado based media organizations please let them know.
If you need to get any more contact info please contact me at shay@nscalesupply.com.
Oh, if you want to ride that train you had better get your reservations quickly. Since the end is near (October 3rd) the seats are selling out fast. Visit the GLRR web site at: http://www.georgetownloop.com

Visit the Colorado Historic Railroad Preservation Association by clicking here - Help Save the Train!