Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Appoints John Harper as General Manager

DURANGO, Colo. - March 29, 2016 - PRLog -- The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNGRR)™, which offers distinctive year-round rail experiences and special events to passengers of all ages in the remote, scenic wilderness and high-mountain landscape of Colorado's San Juan National Forest, today announced it has named long-time employee John Harper as general manager of the company, effective immediately.

In this newly-created role, Harper will oversee all operational, promotional, and financial activities of the 135-year-old historical railroad. In doing so, he carries on the family legacy of his parents, Allen C. and Carol Harper, the co-owners and senior executive leaders of the D&SNGRR and its holding company, American Heritage Railways, Inc. He will report directly to Allen and Carol.

"John, literally, grew up with the D&SNGRR, and through his extensive involvement with the railroad, he has become intimately familiar with, and extremely knowledgeable about, every single nuanced detail of the company," said Allen Harper, head of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, and chairman and chief executive officer of American Heritage Railways." "Now, John will leverage the breadth and depth of that experience to usher the railroad into an exciting new phase of growth and development, while painstakingly respecting and preserving the rich history that makes the D&SNGRR such a distinctive destination for travelers from all around the world."

With wide-ranging expertise in managing railroad-focused sales, marketing, finance, logistics, maintenance, and special events, Harper brings over a decade of professional experience in the scenic railways domain to his new position. Prior to joining the D&SNGRR, he worked at American Heritage Railways-owned sister property, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad™ in Bryson City, North Carolina. While there, he provided sales, marketing, and logistical support to the railroad's senior management team, and played an instrumental role in expanding its marketing footprint and special event offerings.

"I've been around railroads my entire life, so this business is in my blood, like second nature to me, and a deep passion of mine," said Harper. "During my numerous positions with the D&SNGRR and other American Heritage Railways properties over the years, I've learned a great deal from the many highly-seasoned rail men and women who dedicate themselves every day to safeguarding this unique chapter in American history. As general manager, I intend to regularly tap into that collective experience so the D&SNGRR remains a distinctive property that effectively bridges the past and the present, and entertains new generations of guests."

Harper began his railroad career as a teen at the D&SNGRR by working on the company's fleet of vintage coal-fired, steam-operated locomotives and coaches, and preparing them for excursions. While enrolled at Durango High School, he immersed himself in the railroad's business by conducting apprenticeships, each for a minimum of one year, in every department. After graduating from high school, Harper transitioned into a managerial role with American Heritage Railways-owned Rail Events, Inc., which coordinates licensed special events, event promotions, merchandising, and related activities to railroad and museum operators throughout the United States and Canada.

Originally from Miami, Florida, and a resident of Durango since 2005, Harper holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in tourism and hospitality management, with a minor in political science, from Fort Lewis College in Durango. A former member of the board of directors of the Durango Film Festival, Harper is a volunteer with the Durango Fire and Rescue Authority, which delivers fire suppression, fire code enforcement, emergency medical, and public education services to the 40,000 residents, across 325 square miles, of Southwestern Colorado.

In related news, the D&SNGRR has promoted Josh Martin, formerly manager of on-board concessions, to the new position of director of special events and on-board services. In this role, Martin will oversee and enhance all of the railroad's special events, including its Durango Brew Train and Durango Wine and Rails beer and wine tasting excursions, respectively, and its highly-popular Peanuts™ The Easter Beagle Express, Peanuts™ The Great Pumpkin Patch Express, and THE POLAR EXPRESS™ themed holiday experiences. He is also responsible for creating new experiential events, managing the railroad's narration program, and overseeing all event volunteers. He will still manage all food and beverage sales aboard the company's trains.

Note to Editors:  High-resolution executive portraits of John Harper and Josh Martin are available upon request by contacting D&SNGRR marketing specialist Yvonne Lashmett at (970) 385-8801, or by e-mail at ylashmett@durangotrain.com.