WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Jeff Bingaman and U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico joined Sens. Mark Udall and Michael Bennet and Rep. John T. Salazar of Colorado in introducing resolutions in the Senate and House recognizing this month's 40th anniversary of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.
The resolution also commends the efforts of New Mexico and Colorado state governments, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Management Company, and Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission for their ongoing efforts to maintain this historic railroad.
The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad was originally constructed in 1880 as part of the Rio Grande Railroad's San Juan Extension. The railroad served as a critical passenger and freight link serving communities throughout New Mexico and Colorado until it was abandoned in 1969. A year later, recognizing the line's local economic and historical significance, the two states jointly purchased the line, renaming it the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.
A national historic site and civil engineering landmark, the railroad traverses the highest railroad pass in the country at 10,015 feet and is the highest and longest surviving narrow gauge railroad in the Unites States. The railroad continues to be critical to local communities offering tourists trips daily between May and October that showcase the history and beauty of the region.
The following is the full text of the resolution:
Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.
Whereas the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSRR) was initially constructed in 1880 as part of the narrow gauge Denver and Rio Grande Railroad's San Juan Extension;
Whereas the San Juan Extension provided a critical freight and passenger transportation link in the Southwest until the line was abandoned in 1969;
Whereas, in 1970, the States of New Mexico and Colorado jointly purchased the track between Chama, New Mexico, and Antonito, Colorado, along with locomotives, cars and facilities and renamed it the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad in an effort to preserve the history of the railroad and maintain access along the scenic corridor;
Whereas the C&TSRR is recognized as both a national historic site and a historic civil engineering landmark;
Whereas the C&TSRR traverses the highest railroad pass in the country at 10,015 feet and is the highest and longest surviving narrow gauge railroad in the United States;
Whereas the C&TSRR uses steam locomotives dating back to the 1920s, including the ‘‘Mudhen'', once owned by Gene Autry;
Whereas preservation of railroads like the C&TSRR is critical to preserving the history of the American interest in expanding our Nation's railroad system;
Whereas the C&TSRR continues to serve a critical role for the region through attracting tourists and industry including serving as a backdrop for over 10 movies including Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade;
Whereas the C&TSRR Commission will be celebrating 40 years of railroad co-ownership by New Mexico and Colorado this year: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate
(1) recognizes the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Rail road days;
(2) acknowledges the critical role of freight and passenger rail in our nation's intermodal transportation system; and
(3) commends the efforts of the State governments of Colorado and New Mexico, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Management Company, and Friends of the C&TSRR for their ongoing efforts to maintain this historic and scenic railroad.
