Last run set for Royal Gorge Scenic Railway

CANON CITY (AP) — After more than a half century of taking visitors to a unique vantage point of the majestic Royal Gorge Bridge near Canon City, the Royal Gorge Scenic Railway is expected to make its last run Sept. 30.

The Canon City Daily Record reports Greg Tabuteau and his wife, Judy, sold the railway, a frontier town and 806 acres of nearby property to billionaire William Koch in September 2010. At that point, Tabuteau leased the land and train for two years.

He says a significant decrease in state tourism dollars, shorter tourist seasons and the lack of a local winter business played into his decision to sell.

Tabuteau says he's not sure what Koch's plans are for the narrow-gauge train, but it likely will be dismantled and moved or sold.

Note: The Royal Gorge Scenic Railway is not to be confused with the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, the scenic streamliner that runs through the gorge and offers lunch and dinner trains as well as the annual Santa Express. The Royal Gorge Route Railroad is not affiliated with the Royal Gorge Scenic Railway and is open for business.