Re: Results from CA trip this summer

I belive the 18 will run again eventually, the county has finally given permission to let the locomotive leave the park for restoration, as long as they don't have to pay anything. Who knows when this will happen, but at least they have permision. I don't think there will ever be a tourist railroad in the Owens Valley, it wouldn't survive. I hope Laws will accomplish their goals of a line to Bishop, but I don't think it will be operated on a regular basis. The trackage at Kearsarge at most would be a half mile or so with a siding and occasionally operated. I wish best of luck to both groups and will do my best to help the 18 along.
There are also perlite cars in Olancha #92, #76 in Benton and what I belive is #93 in Lone Pine built into a house and hard to find. But one must be aware that the perlite cars have had there "A" frame floors and most have had the side hatches removed so they look like any other car now. Thanks for the info on #9, I will look for it next time I am up there. Fortunatly the climate of the Owens Valley is very kind to railroad equipment, I have found that all it takes is some steal and trucks, couplers, air cylinders, truss rods, ect., ect, ect. to restore a boxcar. And of course time and a little $$$.