Cumbres & Toltec Names Ed Beaudette as General Manager.

[Roger Hogan]

Cumbres & Toltec Names Ed Beaudette as General Manager.

Today, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSRR) named Ed Beaudette as general manager for the 2024 season. Beaudette is a familiar face at the Cumbres & Toltec. He worked many years as the Railroad’s manager of engineering and operations and currently serves on the Board of the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec, a 2000+ membership organization dedicated to the railroad’s preservation. Beaudette replaces Steven Butler, who resigned earlier this month.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Ed as the General Manager at the Cumbres & Toltec,” said Billy Elbrock of the Cumbres Toltec Operating LLC. “He knows all aspects of railroad operations and is highly regarded by the team. Ed is passionate about railroad preservation and dedicated to ensuring the Cumbres & Toltec provides an outstanding experience. He’s the right person to drive us towards another extraordinary season of historic steam railroading.”

Beaudette originally joined the C&TSRR after retirement from a distinguished 30+ year career in a variety of engineering, operations and project management roles for ExxonMobil. He began his career as a Corps of Engineer Officer in the US Army and holds a B.S. in Physics from Norwich University and a Master’s in Engineering from Boston University. Beaudette grew up on a Vermont farm adjacent to the Central Vermont Railway, where his passion for steam railroading was first ignited. Ed and wife, Lorraine, live in Chama.

According to Beaudette, “I’m honored to continue to serve the Cumbres & Toltec. The team are wonderful, hardworking and dedicated to taking great care of this historic treasure. We are eager for the 2024 season to begin so we can provide the ride of a lifetime on North America’s highest, longest and most authentic steam railroad.”

The 2024 season will open on May 25, 2024. The C&TSRR has operated historic steam train service since 1971 between Chama, NM and Antonito, CO, crossing state borders 11 times, on 64 miles of historic tracks. Ticket sales for the 2024 season are already underway.

For more information on the 2024 season, visit www. cumbrestoltec.com.