Volunteer Today! Work Session Season begins in May.

[Tim Tennant]

The Railroad has an exciting year ahead operating under a new management structure that reports directly to the railroad commission. New President & General Manager and seasoned tourist railroader John Bush has demonstrated dedication to completing the work on Engine 463 and expanding the range of special train charters which are a proven positive financial impact for the C&TSRR.

To meet the challenges of this newly energized management structure the Friends must step up its support. We need to provide the team members required to complete expanding restoration work. The backbone of several projects will begin in May with work sessions in Antonito and Chama. For a complete list of scheduled projects please review form R-7 Project Work Plan and Schedule, located on the Volunteer Forms and Information page under the heading volunteer on the Friends web site. Here you will find a listing of projects for each of the seven work sessions. Without volunteers to fill team positions projects will be cancelled. To prevent the cancellation of restoration projects we are appealing those who have not yet committed to work this year to please get registered.

If you have come to help on Friends projects in the past, we Thank You, but we need your assistance once again. The open Gondola Car 6205, part of the Cinder Bear consist, has deteriorated seriously over the past several years to the point that emergency repairs are imperative to keep the car in service. Four scheduled work sessions A thru D have been setup to accomplish the repair work in Chama. In addition, a charter request indicates the need for a full stock car train. These cars have been neglected for many years and now it’s time to bring them back to a usable condition and we need your help to do that.

This year marks the beginning of the 3 Day Work Session, available during the normal weeklong sessions. This is one way the Friends is attempting to adjust the volunteer work to the schedule and financial constraints of its members. More of our members bring their families to the work sessions, a fine example of meaningful volunteerism and a great place for kids to see and experience the world of trains. A recent announcement on the C&TS web site under “Kids Ride Free” details this exciting but limited opportunity and, when combined with the standard 25% ticket discount for session volunteers, gives members an economical way to vacation with their families.

If you have questions about the work sessions, please contact John Engs, jengs@engsventures.com or Ed Lowrance, eglval@centurytel.net or the Friends office at 505-880-1311.

Thank You and we are looking forward to seeing you on the railroad!