Re: West Side vs. NCNG
| December 15, 2000 10:11AM |
Matthew,
"However, they can't all be saved."
" />
--
West Side Lumber = can-O-worms.
The last I heard:
At least 3 groups claim ownership of the ROW and some land owners in the area think it's been reverted to them.
Lawyers have turned down working on this mess because they say it would take years and no one involved could afford it. <--This is from Glenn Bell!
While there is trackage laied, it can proceede without a new bridge, then another new bridge a few miles further...and another new bridge a few miles beyond that...etc...etc...etc...
The RR had 100' minium curves. The "Eureka" requires about 120' so no 4-4-0s, 2-6-0s, 2-8-0s, 2-8-2s or 2-6-6-2s. Steam motive power options are very limited. I'm not going to even get into the 4%+ grades.
Motive power: All of the West Side engines (except 1) are in use. The one left is heisler #2, which is stuffed and mounted near the mill site.
--
If everyone is going to rally, it should be for the NCNG.
Huge potion of the ROW is reclaimable. The whole road was only about 50 miles long. 250' minimum curves. A portion goes through a national forrest. Some of the most beautiful scenery in the state.
Major Obsticals:
1) @#$%&-Well, you know...
2) Bear River Bridge. Hey, compared to the George Town Loop this is nothing! Nothing!
" />
3) Highway 49. Need a tunnel under the damned thing and the California Transit Authority can be real bastards when it comes to railroads. Luckly this would only cut about 5 miles of trackage from Nevada City to Grass Valley, which leaves the much larger Grass Valley Colfax line "free and clear."
The city of Sacramento is also only a hour or two drive away so there would be a very large population base for revenue (if properly run & advertised.)
In my opinion of all the lines in California, this one has by far the best chance of success.
Happy Holidays!
Curtis F.
"However, they can't all be saved."
" />--
West Side Lumber = can-O-worms.
The last I heard:
At least 3 groups claim ownership of the ROW and some land owners in the area think it's been reverted to them.
Lawyers have turned down working on this mess because they say it would take years and no one involved could afford it. <--This is from Glenn Bell!
While there is trackage laied, it can proceede without a new bridge, then another new bridge a few miles further...and another new bridge a few miles beyond that...etc...etc...etc...
The RR had 100' minium curves. The "Eureka" requires about 120' so no 4-4-0s, 2-6-0s, 2-8-0s, 2-8-2s or 2-6-6-2s. Steam motive power options are very limited. I'm not going to even get into the 4%+ grades.
Motive power: All of the West Side engines (except 1) are in use. The one left is heisler #2, which is stuffed and mounted near the mill site.
--
If everyone is going to rally, it should be for the NCNG.
Huge potion of the ROW is reclaimable. The whole road was only about 50 miles long. 250' minimum curves. A portion goes through a national forrest. Some of the most beautiful scenery in the state.
Major Obsticals:
1) @#$%&-Well, you know...
2) Bear River Bridge. Hey, compared to the George Town Loop this is nothing! Nothing!
" />3) Highway 49. Need a tunnel under the damned thing and the California Transit Authority can be real bastards when it comes to railroads. Luckly this would only cut about 5 miles of trackage from Nevada City to Grass Valley, which leaves the much larger Grass Valley Colfax line "free and clear."
The city of Sacramento is also only a hour or two drive away so there would be a very large population base for revenue (if properly run & advertised.)
In my opinion of all the lines in California, this one has by far the best chance of success.
Happy Holidays!
Curtis F.
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488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
The NGDF was started by Don Richter and is currently operated in his memory by Nathan Holmes and others. Others who have contributed to the upkeep of this board are (in no particular order): Charles McCandless, Everett Lueck, Ted Wilton, Cole Adams, James Bane, John Moellmer, Jon Bentz, Linn Moedinger, lloyd lehrer, Rod Jensen, John Craft, Steven Forney, Herb Kelsey, Bill Ramaley, Russ Sperry (El Russo Loco), Josh McNeal, John West, Jim Armstrong, Bob Bergstrom, Greg Scholl, Blake Forbes Doug van Veelen and Mark Fuller.