A resolution recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.

        [Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 610 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 610

Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic
Railroad.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

August 5, 2010

Mr. Udall of New Mexico (for himself, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Bennet, and Mr.
Udall of Colorado) submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

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 Railroad 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.
<all>