Jun 27, 2009 2:34 pm US/Mountain
Georgetown Loop Hopes Steam Engine Is Back Soon
Reporting
Stan Bush
GEORGETOWN, Colo. (CBS4) ―
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Nearly all of the Georgetown Loop's history has been punctuated by the sound of steam, but for the last two years the railroads trademark engine has sat in pieces.
CBS
Something is not quite right at the Georgetown Loop this summer. The railroad is running a substitute engine while it pieces back together its signature steam engine. It's a difficult job for the railroad workers.
"It doesn't have the personality that steam has," engineer Eric Dowty said of the substitute diesel-powered engine. "It's like running a matchbox with an engine in it."
Dowty has been running locomotives over 30 years and is still trying to adjust to his rectangular workspace.
"Everything on the steam locomotive you can see moving. It's got odors to it that diesel doesn't have," Dowty said. "It's more of a hands-on type of job."
Nearly all of the Georgetown Loop's history has been punctuated by the sound of steam, but for the last two years the railroads trademark engine has sat in pieces. Now they hope a crew of four can put everything back together by August.
"It's achievable, but it's optimistic. It's a matter of picking up the parts and putting it back together," steam mechanic Phil Reader said.
Rail fans also hope the project will be done soon, but won't stay away until then.
"For a true person who likes the old steam engines, it's a little disappointing, but the ride itself more than compensates for that," visitor Bill Distel said.
Even without steam engines, the railroad says last year was its best ever, and this year could be even better. The railroad says a new marketing campaign has helped overcome what could have been a major hit to business.
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