Passion. Fun. Family. Those are descriptors Mark and Leah Greksa used to describe Lindsey and Rosa Ashby's and their experiences in creating, building, and running the Georgetown Loop Railroad over a span of three decades. Working in tandem with Dave Ropchan, the Ashbys developed one of the most successful enterprises in the history of the Town of Georgetown. One would likely need to go back to the 19th century to find anything on its scale.

Indeed after 30 years, the positive face of Georgetown has become synonymous with the Georgetown Loop Railroad. To their credit, from beginning to end it was done with class and, as Mark noted, “a flawless record” with regard to passenger safety.

Passion. Mark's and Leah's eyes lit up and their voices heightened when I asked them what this has meant to them. For all of them, it has been nothing short of a life's work. Embodying true American entrepreneurship, they have given evidence to the American Dream, modern-day Horatio Algers. They built the Loop from scratch, all the while, Lindsey explained to me, on a incredible learning curve, taking risks, defying both the odds and those who, for their own personal reasons, worked to see them fail. Failure though was not part of their mindset.

“This has been an extraordinary experience for all of us-a once in a lifetime adventure,” said Lindsey on the cool, misty evening to their 550 enraptured guests, the last Loop passengers who had the sense they were soon to be participants in a closing romantic chapter in the history of the American West.

Fun. Those of us who have found that our life's work helps define the essence of our being can appreciate the satisfaction and sense the joy they found in seeing their efforts succeed. Acquiring enough authentic historical pieces of equipment-pieces along with replacement parts that are no longer readily available-to outfit three train sets is in itself a remarkable achievement.

In their comments, both Dave and Lindsey noted and paid tribute to the many who literally laid the tracks and built the bridges and to the many who worked over the years as engineers, conductors, and every job necessary to keep it going, for more than twice the time span the old Argentine Central operated.

The marketing genius that has made their enterprise world-renowned and, as a consequence, that has put Georgetown on the map deserves a salute. In large part, local businesses are still in business because of the Loop. In 2004 over 130,000 visitors rode the train, many of who dined and shopped the merchants along Sixth Street. Without the Loop, boarded up and empty storefronts would arguably be the current reality for Georgetown.

Family. It is the relationships they forged over the years with their employees and the riding public about which they all feel best. “Our employees-they are family,” Mark commented. “When we hire them, we give them the freedom to operate, directing them to put their personal skills to work.”

Leah talked about how the riders-families with kids, adults with steam engines in their blood, and those who were simply trying to capture and feel what it was like for Americans who rode those same trains over a century ago-have been overwhelmed by the experience. It happens, says Leah, “when they discover what it does to their heart.”

History was made, or perhaps “unmade,” on Sunday, October 3, 2004, with the Last Run of the Loop. When thinking of it, traditional railroad songs came to mind-“City of New Orleans,” “Railroad Bill,” “John Henry, Steel-driving Man.” But ironically, for me it is an old C-W song, “This is the Last Cowboy Song,” that seems apt. For the cowboy, it was “a hundred-year waltz”-for the Loop, thirty-one. For both though, “Voices sound sad as they're singing along /Another piece of America is lost.”

To acknowledge, honor, and thank them for all they have done, Selectman Hodge read the following proclamation into the official record at the last BOS meeting:

“The history of Georgetown is filled with strong and innovative individuals, characters, and leaders. All of those people shape and give Georgetown its identity and unique character. From the early miners and railroad workers to the enterprising merchants and entrepreneurs of today, courageous, determined, and forward thinking individuals have helped create and shape the town into the rich community it is.

“For 31 years, the Ashbys and all the people who have worked the Loop have been very much part of that history. By building the Georgetown Loop Railroad with their time, their love, money, and perseverance, they not only have helped shape the image of what travelers from across the globe have come to know as Georgetown, they have started a legacy enterprise that has enriched the town, and pretty much everyone who came to enjoy their work.

“Therefore, the Town of Georgetown on behalf of all its citizens publicly acknowledges, honors, and thanks Lindsey and Rosa Ashby, Mark and Leah Greksa and Dave Ropchan for their 31 years of dedication and work at the Georgetown Loop Railroad and for their contributions to all the citizens of Georgetown. In accordance with this fact, we hereby proclaim Sunday, October 3, 2004 as Georgetown Loop Railroad Day.”

Any regrets? “None,” said Mark. “We fulfilled a promise and ran the train for 31 years.” Indeed, with class and a perfect record.

Last thoughts? From Mark and Leah, “Thank you to so many who have supported us. They understand and appreciate what we do and we appreciate them.” From, Lindsey, “No tears for the Loop.” He'll have “none of that.”

No believer in coincidences, I began to sense more fully what it meant while riding in the open-air car on the final run of the Loop, back up the mountain to Silver Plume, well past dark. The sky was overcast, but the clouds ever so slightly began parting after the misty rain stopped. A few faint stars speckled through. The black smoke belching from the stack was hypnotic as it billowed up against a less darkened sky. The trees and mountains were silhouetted in the background.

I marveled at the grandeur of it all. Like the other 549 last passengers, I was being blessed, and I offered my thanks for being allowed to participate in something so grand, so wonderful. I was blessed doubly by the fact that I got to share the ride with the last three passengers who boarded-Mark, Leah, and daughter Cali-taking their last ride as well. It was a time for the poet and Thomas Curtis, for the night the Loop's poet laureate, captured it all.

As Old #12 chugged up the mountain, I shared my thoughts with Leah-how overpowering it was, how awestruck I had become, and how I was at a loss for words to describe what it did to my heart. “Yes,” she said, “it is magic.” In four words, Leah said it all.

So, from the common folk-locals and countless numbers of visitors, riders, and railroad enthusiasts who do appreciate what you have accomplished: Thank you Dave, Lindsey and Rosa for the magnificent way you enriched our lives, by bringing into them the opportunity to relive a true and authentic history that has touched the heart. Thank you Mark and Leah for fighting the fight and doing all anyone could ask or expect in order to keep this a living part of our lives. And thank you every Loop employee from the 31 years for helping to grow that sense of magic in the hearts of hundreds of thousands of riders from lands across the globe. You made us feel like kids once again.