America's most scenic and Authentic Narrow Gauge Railroad
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Crew March 2010
| Alan Loomis - Conductor, Charter Specialist Originally From: Redwing, MN Years With Cumbres & Toltec: 18 Main duty as Charter Specialist is to organize, plan, and run all freight specials. Main duties as Conductor are to be in charge of all motion of the train and to insure the safety of all passengers. Favorite thing about the job is "location of the office" - loves to be outside, communicate with the passengers, and the adrenaline rush of taking the train up the mountain! |
| Donald ‘Ducky’ Martinez –Shop Foreman originally from: Chama, NM Donald Martinez: "Ducky" is our Chama Shop Foreman. He directs all shop activities and is responsible for the running of the engine shop in Chama. Ducky and his shop crew see to it that the engines are ready and safe and that all work is scheduled on a timely basis, to ensure we have the engines we need, for all our trains. |
| Glen Avery - Shop & Track Crew Years with Cumbres & Toltec: 5 Originally from: Brimhall, NM Glen Avery: Glen is a shop crew employee working with the engines, and is also our shop welder. Glen can also works in the machine shop as needed, to fabricate parts for the engines or coaches. Glen also works as a mechanic when needed for the railroad equipment. Prior to working in the shop Glen worked on the track crew. |
| Jacob Vigil - Fireman/Shop Crew Originally From: Antonito, Colorado Years With Cumbres & Toltec: 3 Jake's primary job during the season is Fireman, making sure the engine has enough coal in the firebox to create steam, shoveling 3-4 tons of coal and keeping track of the engine gauges to ensure water levels are correct, ensuring track ahead is clear and safe, and assisting the engineer in the curves. He works off season in the shop, helping rebuild the passenger cars, and hoppers used for dropping ballast on the track. He does any type of car shop duties, including working on engines as needed. |
| Jose Torres - Engineer/Shop Crew Originally From: Chama Years With Cumbres & Toltec: 8 Jose's job is Engineer during our train season, he is the primary engineer and runs the engine from Chama to Osier on a daily basis. As engineer he is responsible for running the train safely and on time for all crew and passengers. In the engine shop he works off season as a mechanic working on re-building and maintenance of the engines. |
| Marvin Casias - Interim General Manager Originally From: Antonito, Colorado Years With Cumbres & Toltec: 32 As our current Interim General Manager, Marvin is in charge of all aspects of running our Railroad. As General Superintendant he oversees all the equipment and repair, as well as train operations. Marvin is a third generation employee, his grandfather Max and his father Jasper were also dedicated railroad employees. Now his son Max is also employed by the railroad continuing the tradition. In his spare time Marvin also manages the Casias family ranch near Antonito. |
| Max Casias - Engineer/Conductor/Shop Crew Originally From: Antonito, Colorado Years With Cumbres & Toltec: 6 Max's job is Engineer during the train season, he will often engineer for special charters as well as being the primary engineer from Antonito to Osier on the daily train. As engineer Max is responsible for the safe and timely running of the engine for the crew and the passengers. He also works in the car shop in Antonito in the off season. Max is the fourth generation CTSRR employee. His grandfather, Jasper and his great-grandfather Max also worked on the railroad in the early days. Max and his family exemplify the long standing history of the C&TRR in southern CO/northern NM. |
| Max Pacheco - Track Supervisor Originally From: Chama, NM Years With Cumbres & Toltec: 38 Max has seen a lot in his 36 years of working on the railroad. Max is the one who makes sure we have a safe railroad. He and his crew lay close to 12,000 ties annually. Max also tends to the rail itself, mending any twists or kinks that may develop along the 64 miles of track. Any questions about the track, just ask Max, he's our expert! |
| Ray Martinez - Conductor Originally From: Chama, NM Years With Cumbres & Toltec: 36 Ray is a Conductor. Conductors are in charge of the train as soon as it leaves the yard. Ray is responsible for the movement and safety of the train, he ensures that all brake tests are done prior to leaving the terminal and enroute as necessary. Conductors are in charge of following all train orders, timetable schedules, slow orders and making sure all train crew adhere to all procedures and guidelines. Responsible for announcements on the train, and collecting/punching all tickets, and handling any passenger problems in conjunction with the brakeman. |
| Ronnica Lopez - Dispatcher/Reservation
manager/Ticket Agent Email: ronnica@centurytel.net Originally From: Antonito, Colorado Years With Cumbres & Toltec: 7 Ronnica Lopez: As our Main Dispatcher, Ronnica is responsible for making sure the trains are literally "on track". She is in constant communication with the engineers and conductor on the train, ensuring that each train is at it's ordained location at the scheduled time. She is also our reservation manager ensuring that our ticket agents are prepared and working to provide the best service to our customers.. |
| Ronnie Lopez - Engineer/Train Master/Shop Crew Originally From: San Antonio, Colorado Years With Cumbres & Toltec: 11 Ronnie Lopez: As Trainmaster Ronnie is in charge of all train crews, and fire patrol crews. He will train all firemen prior to becoming engineers. He is responsible for the train crew scheduling and may work as an engineer on the train as needed. Ronnie enjoys working with the shop crew in the off season. He takes joy in hearing the passengers talk about how they enjoyed the train, and thanking him for a great ride! |
| Sam Ruybal - Conductor/Brakeman/Shop Crew Originally From: Las Mesitas, Colorado Years With Cumbres & Toltec: 33 Sam is a Conductor. The conductor is in charge of all train movement once the train leaves the yard. Sam is in charge of all train movement and safety of the train, he ensures that all brake tests are done prior to leaving the terminal and enroute as necessary. The conductor is in charge of following all train orders, timetable schedules, slow orders, and making sure all train crew adhere to all procedures and guidelines. Responsible for making any announcements on the train and collecting/punching all tickets and handling all passenger problems in conjunction with the brakeman. |
| Teresa Martinez - Shop Crew / Custodial Care Originally From: Antonito, Colorado Years With Cumbres & Toltec: 24 Teresa is the Maintenance/Custodial officer for both depots. She is in charge of ordering, and instructing the maintenance staff regarding the cleaning of the coaches, parlor cars, and depots. Her job also includes the groundskeeping at the Antonito Depot. She is also responsible for the re-upholstery for the coaches at both depots. Teresa loves to hear about the great time our customers have on board the C&TSRR. |
| Teresa Smith - Resource Manager & Administration Email: tsmith@cumbrestoltec.com Originally From: Arizona Years With Cumbres & Toltec: 3 As Resource/Administration manager Teresa helps the employees and supervisors with the administrative support needed for proper reporting and complying with US government and state agency requirements. Teresa helps with the administration of various testing, and training. She is also the administration payroll officer, and is the Cinder Bear Express passenger services operator, ensuring that on our Cinder Bear trains all families enjoy the experience of riding our Cinder Bear Express Special Trains. Teresa oversees the administration in the Chama depot, and passenger services. She also oversees the logistics of our special trains and parlor cars. |
| Tommy Garcia—Shop Crew Years with Cumbres & Toltec: 25 Originally from: Chama, NM Tommy Garcia: Tommy works in the engine shop, he is very knowledgeable in mechanical and machine shop work. Tommy works on our engines, he is one of the important employees who make sure we have engines to run during the operating season. Tommy also works in the machine shop fabricating parts as needed. |
| Tracy Caraway - Fireman/Engineer Years With Cumbres & Toltec: 25 Originally from: Texas Tracy Caraway: Tracy's current primary job during the season is Fireman. Making sure the firebox has enough coal to create steam shoveling 3-4 tons of coal per trip and keeping track of the engine gauges to ensure the water levels are correct, ensuring that the track ahead is clear and safe, and assisting the engineer in the curves. Tracy has had many jobs on C&TSRR over 25 seasons, such as fire patrol, track crew, shop crew, Brakeman, Conductor, and substitutes as Engineer as needed. |