Posted: Jun 25, 2010 11:48 AM by Greg Boyce
Updated: Jun 25, 2010 1:47 PM
CHAMA, N.M. (AP) - Business owners in Chama who rely heavily on summer tourists are concerned about their prospects, now that the New Mexico side of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has suspended operations because of a fire on a 100-foot trestle.
The fire that started late Wednesday night is believed to be human caused, but state fire marshal's investigators are still looking into it. Railroad ties burned on a trestle four miles north of Chama, and a wildfire started as they fell. A state forestry spokesman says the 2-acre blaze was 80 percent contained Friday. The railroad, jointly owned by New Mexico and Colorado, is offering passengers the option of being bused to Antonito, Colorado, for a train trip on the line's Colorado side.