Trains.com

News Wire: CEO: Pikes Peak Cog Railway's future uncertain

2773 views
6 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
Moderator
  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: Wisconsin
  • 1,532 posts
Posted by Brian Schmidt on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 10:10 AM

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Pikes Peak Cog Railway's operator says there is a chance that the famed rack railroad of the Rockies will close for good. Jack Damioli, president and CEO of The Broadmoor hotel, which owns the 8.9-mile rail line, tel...

http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2018/03/14-owner-pikes-peak-cog-railways-future-uncertain

Brian Schmidt, Editor, Classic Trains magazine

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 11:37 AM

Thanks for providing this 'heads up' free and linking to the story.

I have to smell a rat here somewhere.  If the future of the line were 'that' uncertain, any hotelier worth his salt would be promptly -- and probably quietly -- be shopping deals to sell or flip the Cog Railway to new ownership, instead of threatening, oh no! to shut it down and scrap it.

Meanwhile we have a spokesperson for the 'locals' doing the bargaining-table dance out of the gate with 'no public money to support tourist attractions'.

Wonder how many people will actually fall for this and start agitating for preserving some of the equipment before it is "too late".

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • 1,568 posts
Posted by CandOforprogress2 on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 12:26 PM

National Park Service could take it over.

 

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 4:02 PM

How much of Trump's tax cut has The Broadmoor banked and then for it to now cry poormouth?

Something is rotten in the Rockies!

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 8,955 posts
Posted by Firelock76 on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 7:04 PM

Overmod smells a rat, I smell accountants.

We've ridden the Pikes Peak Railway three times and let me tell you, it's a ride not to be missed if you're in the area!  Just spectacular.

If the Broadmoor doesn't want it they should put it up for sale.  Possibly the operators of the Durango and Silverton might be interested.

If this ride goes away it'll be a damn shame.

Allow me to apologize to any railfan accountants out there, but every time I see something like this all I can think of is frequent poster BaltACD's past comment of...

"Pofessionals know that sometimes you have to spend money to make money.  Accountants think you make money by not spending any money."

Also "bottom liners," "short termers," you name it.

  • Member since
    May 2016
  • 51 posts
Posted by Atchee on Saturday, March 17, 2018 2:10 PM

The same outfit that owns the Broadmoor and the Cog used to own (through whatever interlocking companies are involved) The D&RGW and SP.  They also owned Qwest, the company that bought old Bell System in Colorado and other states.

A look at any of these entities probably hints at whats coming.

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Colorado Springs CO
  • 87 posts
Posted by Thechief66 on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 7:37 AM

Lots of talk, but no action yet. At least they're still trying to save the cog.

http://gazette.com/broadmoor-meets-with-colorado-springs-area-officials-as-it-studies-cog-railway/article/1624461?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Broadmoor+meets+with+Colorado+Springs-area+officials+as+it+studies+Cog+Railway&utm_campaign=AM+Update+-+Broadmoor+meets+with+Colorado+Springs-area+officials+as+it+studies+Cog+Railway

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy