Nevada County NG

Got a change to drop in on the NCNG Museum on Saturday for a bit. Very impressive! Nice interpretive displays, #5 and the boxcar I looked at are very well done, especially the boxcar! Can't wait to see the Heisler running and the other cars restored.
While poking around the Empire Mine on Sunday, I was surprised to see a very old metal RR Crossing sign at the east side of the property, very near the winch house. Was this the NCNG ROW?
This led me to another thought. I know that there is movement to create a trail on as much of the ROW between Nevada City and Grass Valley as possible. Would it be possible to connect the Museum trackage to the original ROW and rebuild as far as the Empire Mine? To me, it seem that this would be an outstanding restoration of railroading in context and a great chance for synergy between the Empire Mine park and the NCNG Museum.
I imagine you would have to bypass the "loop" into Grass Valley, but judging by the maps I've seen, I'm inclined to think it could be possible, or at least worth exploration.
Anyone else looked at this or something similar? Just curious.
Eugene