Re: US Gypsum NG Railroad Plaster City

Today, Saturday, I was headed home to Dallas from Calif. via I-8 so my wife and I swung by Plaster City. When we exited to the road, a double bottom dump truck passed by, headed for the plant. Shortly thereafter, another truck passed by headed in the opposite direction and went north on a dirt road. Then, there were 3 Idaho Northern & Pacific diesels on the track west of the plant about a half mile or so - units No. 4501,4504, and 4500. Later, another truck went west and up the north road.

At the plant, there were men working but no one around to talk to and I do not enter when the signs say no tresspassing. I did go to the office but no one there, either. There are 3 spine cars outside the plant loaded with sheetrock. In the plant, there is a good amount of inventory and the plant had activity to a limited extent. Across the street were some narrow gauge gons but too far off the road. In the east end of the plant yard, there was a narrow gauge diesel but positioned so the number was not visible to old weak eyes. A regulator was beside the diesel. The rail heads at the gate were showing a slight coating of rust, but the rail was not shining anywhere as far as I coud see. It appeared the soil next to the rail had been recently disturbed by wheel flanges.

So, while the rust was over all the worn area of the head, It did indicate to me there had been some recent activity, but, not knowing just when it last rained at the plant, I am not sure just how long ago was the last time the diesel moved. Any possibility that trucks are moving ore to the plant and not using the railroad?

Harry