Re: Rico / Climax

Festus Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Any one want to build a railway spur to Rico? A
> quote from the linked aritcle:
>
> "Duncan does not yet know how the mine will move
> its freight, though he said, “We believe a railway
> spur might be the best way … But that’s very
> premature."

I'd love to. However, even leaving out the inevitable @#$%&'s, that would require piles of $$. Even for 3' gauge. Just off the top of my head:

From the north: Much of the Ouray/Ridgway branch grade is a frontage road along hy 550 now, not to mention a small dam problem at Dallas. Houses on the grade, hwy 62 relocated on parts of the grade near Brown, hwy 145, or spoil from widening it, covers a few sections along the San Miguel and at Ophir. south of Lizard head, hwy 145 covered several miles , some near Snow and more from just past Meadow Creek when it was widened and paved in the 60's. finally much of the grade in Durns Canyon, just north of Rico, has washed away. Then there's al the large bridges that would have to be replaced. Not just the loop bridges either, Pleasant Valley, several on the west side of Dallas divide, Bilk, Ames, Butterfly, the one at Trout Lake, Gallagher, Meadow Creek...

From the South: if via Durango, much building in Durango area, both east & west of town, hwy 160 on grade just west of Durango. From Durango do you go east to Chama? If so you'd have to either convince S&TS to go common-carrier and haul frieght or go down the Chama, thru Espanola and to either Santa Fe or some point along the river north of Albequrque. *Very* expensive. Else construct a line south to Gallup-expensive but, as long as your in for so many $$ already, would have the advangtage that you could bring it up to Manocos or Hesperus and avoid the Durango area. A good chunk of grade is missing on Cima hill, slid away, hwy 160 is on the grade at Mancos, hwy 145 thru Delores and on several secions between Delores & Rico. Much of the grade between Delores & Rico is also washed out. And again, lots of bridges altho not quite as many or as large as coming from the north.

Really can't imagine anybody having/raising the needed funds, even if there was no opposition.

hank