TXARP/SMART Visit Alpine
Both the Texas Association of Railroad Passengers (TXARP) and the Sunset Marketing and Revitalization Team (SMART)
held meetings in Alpine, TX from October 23 to October 25. Most members arrived on the Sunset Limited, which was "on-time" from both directions on Thursday, October 23.
Most attendees also stayed at the Holland Hotel, a historic facility located diagonally across the street from the Amtrak station.
Our first event was a public meeting at the Alpine Civic Center. Henry Wulff, President of TXARP, gave a power point presentation on the importance of the Sunset Limited to west Texas, and how TXARP supports the train. John Sita, Jr. made a similar presentation on SMART's efforts and goals for improving the Sunset Limited. A number of area residents attended and asked questions. Refreshments were enjoyed by all.
After the public meeting, many attendees gathered at the Holland Hotel's restaurant for dinner. Many of us enjoyed delicious meal options from its German heritage offerings. Others had dinner at the Reata, another excellent Alpine restaurant.
On Friday morning, October 24, TXARP and SMART held a joint meeting so both groups could view the presentations. Dr. John Bertini, Chair of the Galveston Railroad Museum Board, discussed passenger train plans in the Galveston/Houston area, as well as the progress being made on the Beaumont depot issue. TXARP is encouraging all parties involved in the latter to find a way to provide adequate station facilities in the community. Dr. Bertini also showed pictures of the damage caused by hurricane IKE at the Galveston Railroad Museum.
Henry Wulff provided a presentation on Union Pacific's track improvements west of Texas that have lead to improved "on-time" performance of the Sunset Limited. He discussed the five "Ps" of Project Development: Permits, Politics, Property Acquisition, Pipeline Relocations and Procurement.
After lunch on Friday, many attendees left in a van to tour Big Bend National Park. Due to mud on the highway along the west side of the park, we could not drive to Santa Elena Canyon. So our first stop was the Panther Junction Visitor Center. There we were able to obtain basic information about the park and walk through a cactus garden adjacent to the building.
We then drove to Boquillas Canyon on the east side of the park. Many of us climbed to an overlook that gave us a beautiful view over the canyon along the Rio Grande. A couple of brave souls walked down to the river to say they had been there.
Our next stop was the Chisos Basin, the main visitor service area in the park. We had a delicious dinner at the lodge's restaurant and enjoyed the beautiful views through the restaurant's glass wall.
After dinner we took an easy walk to see the sunset through the "window," an opening in the mountains that allows a view of the desert below.
As we began our drive back to Alpine, our final views of the park were enhanced by the beautiful sunset. The photographers among us took many pictures out the van's windows in an effort to capture the last daylight glimpses of our journey.
Saturday morning's continental breakfast at the hotel included a special treat. Ted Gray, noted author and resident of Alpine, was visiting with friends at the hotel. He is a fascinating man with wonderful insights to life in west Texas. It was an honor to visit with him.
Saturday morning's schedule was left open so people could choose how to use the time. Some of us took the walking tour of Alpine. It is rich in history and has many buildings that date back to the early settlers. Some of the buildings are now upscale art galleries. We recognized the names of some of the local artists.
An unexpected benefit of the walking tour was an opportunity to visit with State Representative Peter Gallego's staff member in Alpine. Although usually closed on Saturdays, I found him in the office. I shared with him TXARP's goals for the Sunset Limited.
Unfortunately, Sunset Limited #2 was late for Saturday's departure. Karen and I met the train in Del Rio, an hour and a half behind schedule. But it was one last opportunity to say good-bye to our TXARP and SMART friends.
(Contributed by Henry Wulff, President of TXARP.)
( Note: Henry seems to be about a year ahead of the rest of us in these photos )
