A Folsom,CA railroad?...

Seen mention of this on the local news as well. Hope they get more goin. I also have a link to the FEDS site on my site so you can check it out...


SOME HOPING IN REJUVENATING A FOLSOM RAILROAD

FOLSOM, CA -- Some people in Folsom, California probably couldn't believe their eyes when history was literally on the move. Motorists in Folsom got quite a shock Thursday what was this rolling down the abandoned railroad tracks that run from the city all through the foothills?

Aboard a railcar were historians and city officials getting a sneak peak at about 18-miles of track that has been cleaned and repaired. The route takes us past shopping centers, through secret forests, over deer creek and past some of the most beautiful scenery in our foothills.

"We want you to see what we have here, most people have no idea about the potential here," said Bill Anderson, a rail road historian.

Rail buffs hope to begin running an excursion train in this area sometime in the future. All these tracks and right of way are already owned by the city.

"We bought all of this," said Anderson.

The tracks are still pretty bumpy since they haven't be used or maintained for decades. After a quick check, we're back on the rails trying to convince these city leaders that a tourist train here would attract thousands of visitors and lots of revenue. Vice Mayor Kerri Howell seemed convinced.

If these rail buffs' dreams come true, this line could be expanded all the way to Placerville. All they need now is a bigger train and lots of money, volunteers and sweat. - John Iander, KOVR-CBS13, West Sacramento, CA

To view a related video clip, click on the following link -- then click on the "play" button:

[cbs13.com]

 

I wish the organizers and sponsors the best....!

 

Here is a link to the group:
Folsom, El Dorado and Sacramento Historical Railroad Assoc
and a pic of their ex Weyerhauser Skagit speeder #30.

The line they have purchased parts of is the ex Placerville Branch of the Southern Pacific. Originally built as a subsidiary of the Sacramento Valley Railroad, one of the first railroads in California.

 

Actually, FEDS do not own the old Placerville Branch, or any portion that I'm aware of. The branch is owned through a joint powers agreement between the counties of Sacramento and El Dorado and the city of Folsom. There are a number of groups, including at least two railroads (FEDS and EDWRF), trails people, residents along the ROW, etc., that have current interest in the old SP right-of-way.

Steve

 

Thanks for the clarification Steve.

 

A new article, Sac Bee

http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/179854.html

The historic -- and long abandoned -- Placerville Branch railroad that
meanders quietly through the wooded hillsides of El Dorado County may be on
the verge of a new life.
A group of train fans is proposing turning the 140-year-old rail line into
an excursion train ride, climbing from old town Folsom through Latrobe to
Shingle Springs.
A tourist train, they say, could knit foothills communities, draw visitors
and money to the region, bring some history to life and just be plain fun.

"There could be packages to go to Apple Hill and the wineries," said one of
the proponents, rail buff Bill Anderson of Folsom.
"Cyclists could take their bikes. It's a fantastic venue with scenery and
wildlife."
Proponents say someday, passengers could even dine on the train at tables
with white tablecloths, like the Wine Train in the Napa Valley.
Folsom city and El Dorado County officials -- part of the rail line
ownership group -- say they will work with Anderson's organization in the
coming months on the plan.
Officials, however, say they also will look for proposals from any other
interested groups on what could be done to get more community use out of the
rail line corridor, which includes the tracks and adjoining space for
recreation trails.
Not everyone is on board the train, however.
Some El Dorado County residents say the roughly 40-mile railroad
right-of-way between old town Folsom and Placerville should be developed
mainly as a recreation corridor for hikers, bikers, runners and horseback
riders.
Mike Kenison of Shingle Springs is among residents who said they don't want
to see a train squeeze out those other recreational uses.
"A train is a nice tourist thing," Kenison said. He's not necessarily
opposed to one, "but people are out there biking and hiking all the time
with their families."
Kenison, who rides his bike and walks on trails next to the tracks, asked
planners to look into connecting the corridor in Folsom to the existing
American River Parkway.
El Dorado County Supervisor Jack Sweeney, who is among officials interested
in the tourist train idea, said his goal would be to develop the corridor
for multiple uses, including trains.
He said the time to do it is now, because community interest is high.
"This is an opportunity; I see this as a shoestring that pulls our
communities together in a way that Highway 50 doesn't," Sweeney said.
Officials said it is too early to estimate how much it would cost to set up
an excursion line, but it is likely that federal funds and private money
would be used.
Anderson and his group, the Folsom, El Dorado & Sacramento Historical
Railroad Association (FEDS), say existing rails on the line remain largely
intact and usable.
The Placerville Branch railroad was built in 1867 to haul logs and farm
products and serve passengers to and from the foothills, Anderson said.
The FEDS group tentatively is proposing a 40-mile round-trip ride that would
take about two hours, possibly starting near Folsom Boulevard, heading south
of Highway 50 over the hills to Latrobe, then curling back north to Shingle
Springs.
Anderson said his group envisions starting out by running trains on the line
once or twice a day on weekends during good weather months.
To make it happen, the FEDS group is asking for an OK from the agency that
owns the rail line, the Sacramento-Placerville Transportation Corridor Joint
Powers Authority.
That agency is made up of four governments, El Dorado County, Sacramento
County, the city of Folsom and the Sacramento Regional Transit District.
Joint powers authority executive John Segerdell said his agency will work in
the coming months on a formal public process for requesting corridor use
proposals, and will seek input from its member governments before deciding
whether to go forward with a tourist line.
"I think it would probably work," Segerdell said of the tourist train.
"The biggest obstacle is getting it to balance financially."

 

PSVRR INFO

A group of us have been restoring the Placerville Branch for about a decade. The last SP Placerville Turn ran in the late 80's and the line is still in pretty good condition. We are really gaining ground now and it looks like we will have trains running in 2010. There are quite a few photos and info at PSVRR.COM. We have been acquiring equipment and are in need of more active members and volunteers for anyone interested. Feel free to email me Joe@PSVRR.COM.

 

Thanks and I will let you know. The Howard Terminal Locomotive in my profile picture us one of the engines we are restoring. We received it from the California State RR Museum along with four flat cars. There is more equipment headed our way. There are more pictures and info @ http://psvrr.com

 

Current Happenings On The P&SVRR

Been a while since my last post here but things are moving ahead. It has been slow going and we are getting some resistance from the trails group. All of the info is on the placerville and sacramento valley railroad site. I have also included a link to more pictures of the line and the progress we are making: https://picasaweb.google.com/Fedshra.

Thank you for all of the support we have been receiving for the planned excursion railroad from Folsom to Shingle Springs!