C&TS roadbed repair

A crew of that size can put in about 80 to 100 ties a day. I would remind you that the railroad has had steady tie replacement over the years and the C&TS meets FRA minimum standards. The big problem is the roadbed is shot. More gravel is the first priority. Hardly any serious roadbed work has been done over the last three decades. More gravel was laid down between 2000 and 2003 than the previous decades combined. Roadbed improvement previously was done by gathering nearby soil with a loader and piling along the grade, an inferior practice my most railroad standards. The 35 miles of 70 pound rail from Antonito to Osier needs to be upgraded to 85 or 90 lb rail. Heavy rail needs to be laid on the curves first, then elsewhere later. Elevation needs to be restored to curves as well. Cost? Well, depends on what is done, how fast, and what is priority. Most experts have told me that the C&TS could be dramatically upgraded with about $15 million. $5 million would fix the curves and other problem spots $10 million would lay and tamp gravel over the entire line. $15 million would replace many miles of rail.