Doing the math, this produces a conservative total spend of nearly $32 million. Furthermore, the sales tax on this conservative total spend figure is just under $830,000. That sales tax pays for police, roads and other city services we all need.

When looking at economic impact, typically, you would add to the figure above the jobs created by the railroad, as their employees buy goods from local businesses. You would also add the impact of the railroad buying services and goods it needs from local businesses, which creates more jobs. In turn, those employees spend money on their own needs.

You would also add the charitable donations by the railroad, which is about $350,000 annually. The $32 million is really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the railroad’s impact to our local economy. I have seen studies that show a total economic impact from the railroad of nearly $200 million.

A vandal targeting the home of Al Harper, owner of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, hit the wrong house last week, writing graffiti on a neighbor’s house and damaging outdoor furniture.

The La Plata County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a suspect or suspects in the incident that occurred late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

Sheriff’s Office spokesman Chris Burke said someone wrote graffiti in black marker “F– (expletive) the Train” on Harper’s neighbor’s house. The suspect or suspects also knocked over the patio table, chairs and plants outside the home.

Burke said it’s speculation but “makes sense” that the attempted vandalism on Harper’s house is related to suspicions that the D&SNG started the 416 Fire, which broke out June 1 next to the railroad’s tracks north of Durango.

Some news from the Durango Herald:andFull article:
Vandals target owner of Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, but hit wrong house - Sheriff’s Office says 416 Fire a likely motivation

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad plans to resume coal-fired steam engine service to Silverton on Thursday, after more than 40 days stuck in the depot.

“We are preparing to run on that day,” General Manager John Harper said Tuesday.

Harper said the train will work with local agencies and fire districts in the next couple of days to make sure they agree it is safe to run coal-fired engines, which are known for sending off cinders and starting small fires.

without the train the tourist numbers will drop precipitously.

GME

That didn't stop the folks in Indiana from ousting their own tourist line and museum, and you know that the rather vocal anti-train portion of the population will come out of the woodwork to say this is the perfect chance to shut down the pollution spewing, fire starting train.