[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 118 (Thursday, August 5, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6906-S6907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 610--RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CUMBRES 
                       AND TOLTEC SCENIC RAILROAD

  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:

                              S. Res. 610

       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

[[Page S6907]]

     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.

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. President, today, I join Senators 
Bingaman, Bennet of Colorado, and Udall, in submitting a resolution to 
recognize the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad on its 40th 
anniversary this August. Representative Lujan, a member of the New 
Mexico delegation, is introducing a companion resolution in the house.
  The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad has been an integral part of 
the Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado economies since its 
construction in 1880 as part of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad's 
San Juan Extension.
  From its construction until it was abandoned in 1969, the railroad 
provided a critical passenger and freight link serving communities 
throughout New Mexico and Colorado.
  In 1970, recognizing the economic impact abandonment of the line 
would have on communities served by the railroad and appreciating the 
railroad's historic significance, New Mexico and Colorado came together 
to purchase the facilities, locomotives, cars and line between Chama, 
NM and Antonito, CO. To acknowledge the sheer beauty of the route, they 
renamed it the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.
  Since that time the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad has been 
recognized as a national historic site and, by the American Society of 
Civil Engineers, as a civil engineering landmark acknowledging the 
challenging terrain the railroad crosses.
  Today, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic railroad continues to be 
critical to the local communities. The railroad offers tourists trips 
daily between May and October and serves to showcase the history and 
beauty of this region of the country.
  These trips offer a glimpse into railroad travel of the past and 
provide the visionary tourist a taste of what could be with future 
expansion of passenger rail in the West.
  In August, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad will celebrate 40 
years of co-ownership and this resolution honors its efforts in 
preserving the history of and building a future for railroad in 
America.
  I ask all my Senate colleagues to join Senators Bingaman, Bennet, of 
Colorado, Udall of Colorado and me in recognizing the Cumbres and 
Toltec Scenic Railroad days by agreeing to this resolution.

                          ____________________