American Heritage owner reports good progress
BY LELAND ACKER

Negotiations are ongoing between the Texas State Railroad Operating Agency (TSROA) and American Heritage Railways, despite reports that an agreement has been finalized.

"We do not have a contract, yet. A reporter didn't read our press release well," said Al Harper, owner of American Heritage. Mr. Harper was addressing an article which appeared in the March 1 edition of the Durango Herald.

"Even if we had an agreement signed, it has to go through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the state legislature," he said.

Mr. Harper said he is optimistic and hopeful that a contract will be finalized allowing American Heritage to operate the Texas State Railroad.

"I'm doing this because I want to preserve history," he said. "If I can make the Texas State Railroad perform like the Durango & Silverton railroad and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, it will be here for generations to come. You won't have to worry about finding funding every year."

Mr. Harper said trains are his life.

"I'm very excited about railroad preservation, and I'm excited about applying it to the Texas State Railroad," he said. "We do it, it works, it's what my life is about."

Mr. Harper said he hopes to have the details of the contract finished March 15. After that, he said, it will be up to TPWD and the state legislature.