Placitas man to work the railroad as new director of Cumbres & Toltec

PLACITAS — On Jan. 24, the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad’s Board of Directors announced the hiring of Rick Marsden, of Placitas, as executive director. Marsden has been with the group since 2014, and his first official day will be Feb. 13.

“Marsden is well qualified to be Friends executive director thanks to his multifaceted corporate career and his extensive involvement in volunteering both for the Friends and with the Albuquerque locomotive restoration project,” Friends Board Chairman Don Stewart said.

The Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is an Albuquerque based nonprofit volunteer railroad organization with 1,906 members throughout the world that preserves the history of 64 miles of narrow gauge track between Chama and Antonito, Colorado. The railroad, a National Historic Landmark, was named after two prominent scenic features: the Cumbres Pass in Colorado and the Toltec Gorge in New Mexico. The route crosses the state line numerous times through both alpine and desert landscapes.

“Marsden has demonstrated energy and excitement, particularly with efforts to increase the Friends’ volunteer base and increase the Friends’ public profile,” Stewart said. “He wants to be out there and talk with people.”

Marsden replaces Tim Tennant of Rio Rancho, who is retiring after 20 years as the top staff official of the Friends.

While with the Friends, Marsden worked as a photo archivist and as an on-board host on special excursion trains. He has also volunteered with the New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society’s locomotive restoration project in Albuquerque; he was a vice president with the group.

Friends volunteers’ work ranges from restoring wooden freight cars and structures at sites along the railroad to researching archival photos. Members also served as an on-board docent on the railroad’s trains operating almost daily from late spring into late fall.

“They’re helping keep history alive. It’s right up my alley,” Marsden said.

Friends volunteer work sites include the Albuquerque headquarters, a car rebuilding site in Colorado Springs, and the railroad’s yards in Antonito, Colorado, and Chama, New Mexico, as well as along the rail line. Many volunteers also work remotely.