[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>