Scenic Railways, Inc. records
Finding aid created by California State Railroad Museum Library and Archives staff using RecordEXPRESS
California State Railroad Museum Library and Archives
2020
111 I Street
Sacramento, California 95814
(916) 323-8073
Library.CSRM@parks.ca.gov
http://csrmf.org/visit/library
Title: Scenic Railways, Inc. records
Dates: 1968-1980
Collection Number: MS 608
Creator/Collector:
Scenic Railways, Inc.
Extent: 1 box
Repository:
California State Railroad Museum Library and Archives
Sacramento, California 95814
Abstract: This collection includes selected business records and other documentation for Scenic Railways, Inc., operator of two excursion
railroads, the Tahoe, Trout Creek & Pacific Railroad, and the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.
Language of Material: English
This collection is open for research at our off-site storage facility with one week's notice. Contact Library & Archives
staff to arrange for access.
Copyright has not been assigned to the California State Railroad Museum. All requests for permission to publish or quote from
manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Capital District Collections Manager. Permission for publication is given
on behalf of the CSRM as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright
holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Scenic Railways, Inc. records. California State Railroad Museum Library and Archives
Gift of Rod Smith, 2004.
Biography/Administrative History
Scenic Railways, Inc. was incorporated in California on May 25, 1970 by Dr. Robert E. Keller, John W. Houghton, Jr. and John
Allan, Jr. to operate excursion railroads. Scenic Railways participated in a joint venture to develop the Tahoe, Trout Creek
& Pacific Railroad, as an alternative mode of transportation to nearby recreational areas. The line began limited operations
along 1-1/4 miles of track in South Lake Tahoe on July 4, 1970. The operation was not financially successful nor were the
partners able to negotiate long-term property agreements, and only operated for two full seasons (1971 and 1972).
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad operated along the former Denver & Rio Grande's Alamosa to Durango, Colorado route, completed
in 1880. It ceased passenger operations in 1951, and the line was abandoned in 1967. In 1970, after plans to scrap the line
had been announced, the states of Colorado and New Mexico jointly purchased a scenic 64-mile portion of the line over Cumbres
Pass between Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico and selected Scenic Railways to operate the line. On May 15, 1972,
Scenic Railways entered into a twenty-year lease with the Colorado and Mexico Railroad Authority. Scenic Railways operated
the Cumbres & Toltec until 1981.
Dr. Robert E. Keller was the President, Director, and one of the founders of Scenic Railways. Previously Dr. Keller had
been employed by Hewlett-Packard Company as a research engineer and also taught mechanical engineering at Stanford University.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection includes selected business records and other documentation for Scenic Railways, Inc., operator of two excursion
railroads, the Tahoe, Trout Creek & Pacific Railroad, and the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. Documents include correspondence,
a company prospectus, financial statements and reports, promotional brochures, clippings, and maps. Subjects include Scenic
Railways development of a narrow-gauge steam excursion railroad for the South Lake Tahoe area, what eventually became the
short-lived Tahoe, Trout Creek & Pacific Railroad; an effort by Scenic Railways management to take the company public; and,
plans to improve the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad operations. This collection, acquired by the donor from Scenic Railways
founder Robert E. Keller, is organized by corporate entity.