(From the RR's website Friday afternoon, June 25, 2010.)

CHAMA, NM – A team of bridge structural experts will be on scene Saturday morning to assess the extent of damage and begin the design of repairs to the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad’s Lobato Trestle, damaged by a fire of unknown origin Wednesday night.
“They are flying out today and will visit the site promptly tomorrow morning,” said Marvin Casias, C&TSRR Management Company general manager on Friday. “We will better understand the extent and timing of necessary repairs after their assessment, which I hope to receive sometime early next week.”
The damage to the trestle, second highest on the 64-mile line and located about four miles out of Chama, has forced a suspension of the regular trains from Chama to Osier, Colo., the halfway point and lunch stop. Patrons booked out of Chama will be offered the option of the private motor coach ride to Antonito, to take the line from that terminal to Osier and return. Those electing to make this trip will be provided bus transportation both ways.
Saturday’s “Wild West Rocky Mountain Express Train,” featuring a mock western train robbery, will take place as scheduled (June 26, 2010) on that portion of the track between Chama and the damaged trestle. This trip is sure to delight cowgirls and cowboys of all ages and includes a western style lunch at the Chama Railroad Depot.
Planning is under way for alternative C&TSRR events and activities in Chama while the trestle is out of service. However, final details will be held in abeyance until early next week, when the management company has some idea of the time duration for the alternative schedule.
“We are acutely aware of the potential effect on the Chama village economy as a result of this circumstance,” said Elmer Salazar, president and CEO of C&TSRRMC. “We are making plans for special Chama activities to please rail fans and visitors. It is our hope that we will be planning for an alternative operations period measured in a few short weeks, but we will have better parameters when we hear from our bridge structural experts next week.”
The C&TSRR is celebrating its 40th year this summer. This setback comes as the C&TSRR management company continues its multi-year program to replace ties and ballast on the track to restore it to optimum operating capability. A total of 40,378 new ties have been installed over the duration of this project, with 64 miles of track resurfaced and lined. Bringing the track, locomotives and rolling stock up to top-notch condition has been a priority project of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission and the operating company, and has moved forward with generous funding from the states of New Mexico and Colorado, owners of the line. The rail line is a living history experience in steam-powered mountain narrow-gauge railroading, owned and preserved by the two states.