30 years ago – June 16, 1989
It looks like it will be up to the city fathers to determine just how loud and how often the whistle on the Black Hawk Central City Narrow Gauge Railroad’s steam locomotive will blow. Presented with the signatures of 123 petitioners asking that noise, air pollution, and safety be improved at the tourist train, Central City’s Board of Aldermen agreed to research city state, and federal regulations applying to operation of the railroad and to issue a decision on what’s acceptable and what’s not.Although the railroad’s attorney, Dennis Brian, stated that the operation is bound by federal regulation to blast the steam whistle as often as it does, preliminary investigation indicates that neither the Federal Railroad Administration nor the Public Utilities Commission has jurisdiction over the amusement attraction. Although there has been no final word on who is responsible for regulating the train, it appears at this time that the responsibility will ultimately fall on the shoulders of the city council. “We are here tonight not to attempt to close down the operation of the train,” said Christopher Haworth, speaking on behalf of the petitioners at the June 7 meeting of the council, but to ask that the railroad “become a considerate and respectful part of this community.” The petition said that fire hazards be remedied immediately, passenger safety hazards be corrected, and the decibel level of the whistle be lowered and that the number of blasts be cut in half, and that the railroad clean up the air pollution it creates. Emotions ran high at the public meeting, with some citizen airing concerns about fire safety, pointing out that in one day seven brush fires were started along the tracks by cinders from the locomotive’s smokestack. The thick black smoke that issues from the stack covers the interiors of their homes with soot, said others. The piercing whistle that sounds about every 10 minutes when the train is running disturbs the sleep of young and old alike, it was reported. Responding to the complaints, train operator Court Hammond said that new firefighting equipment, including a flat car with a water tank attached to the back of the train, has been installed since the day of the seven fires. A water sprayer attached directly to the stack has practically eliminated the fire hazard, he added, and he is currently seeking additional firefighting equipment. Steam engines create a considerable amount of black smoke, Hammond acknowledged, but in order to improve the air quality, he said he would have to invest $80,000 in a boiler suitable for use with an oil fired engine. Not only is the price tag of conversion to oil prohibitive, he said, oil burning engines also make for a less efficient use of fuel. Noise reduction isn’t so difficult a task. A lower toned whistle could be purchased, Hammond said, although he added that the railroad has already used three different whistles in an attempt to satisfy the community, and nothing has yet been deemed satisfactory. Calling the railroad an economic boon, Eileen Pfeifer stood up for the train. Not only does it bring additional visitors to town, increasing the business of every merchant in town, she said, as a family attraction it enhances the image of Central City and provides a competitive draw against Georgetown. No decisions were made during the meeting pending research of applicable ordinances and regulations. “The city council doesn’t want to create a double layer of bureaucracy,” said City Clerk Jack Hidahl on Monday, “but it does want to respond appropriately to the concerns of the citizens.”
Died: Frances Belle Schneider, formerly of Gilpin County, died June 8, 1989, in Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge. At the time of her death she was a resident of Idaho Springs. She was 79 years old. Schneider was born in Nevadaville on June 13, 1909, to Frank and Jennie Hollo Sparks. She married Clarence N. Schneider on May 2, 1932. He preceded her in death on June 29, 1968. Also preceding her death were her parents; two sisters, Grace and Vaughn; and her half-brother, Dell Brown. Schneider, who resided in Idaho Springs for 68 years, retired as a teacher with the Clear Creek School District in 1959. She was a member of the Idaho Springs Order of Eastern Star and the Dumont Mormon Church. Services were held on June 10, 2989, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Dumont. Norm Woods and Bob Jones officiated. She was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Lakewood. Schneider is survived by her daughter, Shirley Thoennes of Idaho Springs; and two grandchildren: Gregg Thoennes of Idaho Springs and Adele Coldagelli of Frisco, Colorado.
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