By Michael T. Burkhart

Colorado Pacific Rio Grande Railroad has filed paperwork to acquire the historic 13-mile San Luis Central Railroad, which it connects with near Monte Vista, Colo. Founded 111 years ago, San Luis Central serves a rich agricultural region in its namesake valley in southcentral Colorado. Federal paperwork says CPRG, controlled by Soloviev Investors, will acquire the short line’s route from the interchange at Sugar Junction to the end of track near Center, Colo.

San Luis Central has been out of service since late spring because of a collapsed irrigation canal culvert, but a visit in early September showed crews working repair the line. That visit also found the railroad’s two locomotives tucked inside the shops — GE 70-tonner 71, which was purchased new to replace its steam locomotive and is currently out of service, and EMD SW8 70, which was purchased secondhand in 1988.

CPRG, controlled by businessman Stefan Soloviev, bought the assets of bankrupt Iowa Pacific a few years ago and runs on 150 miles over three lines radiating from its headquarters in Alamosa, Colo., to Monte Vista, Antonito, and over the famed La Veta Pass to Walsenburg. It has been investing in more modern motive power in the form of EMD SD70Macs — painted in a rendition of the Colorado flag — as well as track maintenance and community outreach.