HORSESHOE BEND -- People who live and work in Horseshoe Bend were surprised to hear the Thunder Mountain Rail Line is suspending its operations.
On Monday, Thunder Mountain Line Vice President Chris Bertel posted a message on the company's website saying, "It is with great sadness and disappointment that the Thunder Mountain Line has suspended its 2016 excursion operations."
No reason was given for the shutdown.
The tourist train rides have been a popular way to explore Idaho's backcountry since 1998. The line expanded to Horseshoe Bend in 2001.
"It was very shocking that they just decided to close. Really no warning," said Sherry Sanchez, the head waitress at Corner Cafe Bar & Grill off Highway 55.
Locals say the train brought tourists to the city of Horseshoe Bend that has a population of just over 700 people.
"Just hearing that train whistle. It's exciting. It's a new adventure for people and it's sad," said Sanchez.
She told KTVB the Thunder Mountain Rail Line is part of Horseshoe Bend's identity. Sanchez, like many other residents, worked for the company for a time.
"Everybody in town has benefited in some way from the Thunder Mountain Line," she said.
The sign outside the train station now simply states "It was our pleasure."
"It will make a big difference," said Rindy Quijas of the closure. "There's a lot of people here in Horseshoe Bend that have worked on the train and so they'll be losing their jobs, too."
Quijas owns Wired Bean Coffee just across the street from the train depot. She also has a history with the company.
"I worked on the train here for about a year and a half, two years and then I was the one that went up to Cascade and took the crew up and ran that line," said Quijas.
She heard that operations had been suspended from her customers.
"I was really surprised. I had some of the employees tell me as soon as they were told that they were done working," said Quijas.
She says that was on Monday morning.
Employees and owners of Horseshoe Bend businesses say losing the tourist attraction will be a hit to the local economy, but they plan to get through it together.
"I think that our community ties are very strong in this town. I think that we'll just help each other build and work a little more closely with each other," said Sanchez.
Here is the full statement posted on the Thunder Mountain Line website:
To our valued Customers and Employees:
It is with great sadness and disappointment that the Thunder Mountain Line has suspended its 2016 excursion operations. We began our inaugural operation in 1998 with a modest start up out of Cascade with Idaho Historical Railroads ("IHR"). IHR vision and goal was to help preserve the state's rail transportation history for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations. IHR was very successful in marketing and operating the Thunder Mountain Line from 1998 – 2000. When the Idaho Northern and Pacific Railroad took over full control of the operations for the 2001 season, we expanded our operation to Horseshoe Bend along with the number of themed train rides for our customers. During our journey we developed a top notched operation with beauty that would compete with any tourist train in the country. We frequently visited other operations around the country and met many great people within our industry. Many ideas and suggestions were readily shared amongst tourist train operators in the preservation, marketing and public experience of our train operations. We expanded and renovated our facilities and equipment that allowed us to offer our customer a top level experience while celebrating Idaho's unique history and beauty. Our employees through the years took great pride in our operation and were an integral part for our customers creating memories and reconnecting to the past. Without our employees we would just be a collection of museum rail cars with no story.
We offered a piece of history and an amazing product to the state in Southwest Idaho. We were able to provide a unique experience for our younger generation and a glimpse back to the past. We provided an environment for families to reconnect and create lasting memories for years to come. I experienced this first hand with the trips I took with my children on the train. Our customers also celebrated Idaho's beauty from a different perspective of leisurely traveling along the river and mountains on a train. The sounds and motions of riding on a train are unique in itself and only enhance the experience.
We are very thankful for the many years of support from the communities, State of Idaho, tourist train industry, suppliers, sponsors, employees and general public.
Sincerely,
Chris Bertel
Vice President
Thunder Mountain Line
