From the best information I can get, Item 1 ain't going to happen. The Forest Service is getting happier by the day, what with all the precations that the railroad is taking, and they have no jurisdiction to force a closing anyway.
Item 2: There are a few SG ties - one at Cresco siding, and a couple at Los Pinos and osier. The Spreader wouldn't clear them, but the crew just did a quick lift and set back dosn beyond them. Not enough of them to cause a problem so far (down to Osier).