Tim .. all that happened in court yesterday is a confirmation the Mr. O.J. LeBaron will be the administratior of the Receivership. Mr. LeBaron advised the court there is no money to operate, the insurance has lapsed and he is considering closing the doors unless some funds are brought forth. It don't look good. The next big fight will be to determine who actually owns the railroad.
Bummer. I'd think they could not proceed much further, until that owner is determined. If such a person is found, I wonder if a court can "acquire" funds from them? Boxcab E50
As the Receivership administrator, Mr. LeBaron can have the court order that both sides of the arguement submit monies to sustain operations until such time the legal owner is determined. However, the problem is, one of them has filed bankruptsy. Someone over at Altamont Press has suggested that we contact our local Congressman, (Wally Herger) to see if there's any way we can shake some funds free from the Feds to keep running. But, even if they agree, the red tape and extraneous time it would take to get it would still not help under current circumstances. I will give Mr. Herger's office a call today though.
Bill, I hope you have better luck with your congressmen than I did with mine. I have left several voice mails and still no call back. I guess because you are not in his district , he has no interest in the operation You would think the least he could do was call your guy and tell him what was going on. If the problem is not earth shattering they just don't have time for the little guy. I could name some examples but I don't want to get things stired up. Best of luck to you and the fine folks at the Yreka Western. Shannon WP LIVES ATSF LIVES LONG LIVE THE YREKA WESTERN [ March 18, 2005, 10:21 PM: Message edited by: Shannon ]
Red tape. If it were of any value, we'd all be rich! I shall continue to hope that something positive can, and will happen! Boxcab E50
Thanks guys. I appreciate the emotional support. I could not reach Congressman Doolittle today. I'll try again Monday. Can anyone tell me what N.C.R.A. stands for; and what do they do? Also, I visited my friend up at tunnel 13 today to see what in fact the problem(s) are they have experienced. The scuttlebutt that I passed on in here about lateral clearance was bogus. The only problem is the south end of the tunnel floor was a quagmire and when they ran the loco over it the rails sank into it. They have pulled up 500 feet of rail, and are installing better drainage as well as lining the tunnel floor with some sort of water repelling fabric. (I have seen them use the same process on freeways where moisture undermines the roadway and the weight of trucks cause the surface to crack, then break away). When they get the fabric down, they will lay in the ties, rails and ballast again. First train is expected to roll through the tunnel during the night of the 31st of March, or the 1st of April.
Bill- NCRA is probably the North Coast Railroad Authority. They have a web site: www.northcoastrailroad.org/ Boxcab E50
Thanks Boxcab. I'm going to see what I can drum up on Moday. I'll start with our local Congressman and State Assemblyman; then I'll contact F.E.M.A. and see if there's anything they can do for us as well.
The saddest part of all this is some derelict vagrant started the fire that destroyed the tunnel.. How many lives were affected by his stupidity?
Jim- I hadn't heard they'd determined an actual cause for the fire. Do you have any more info? It could have only been from two causes. Malicious intent. Or stupidity. Well, I guess those two are the same.... Boxcab E50
Matt, the foreman of the crew repairing the tunnel said it appeared to be an Arson. There was evidence a fire started in four different locations. Other than that, the investigating entities could not find any tangible evidence as the tunnel collapse destroyed everything that may have been there. Like you, I have never heard anything on the media about it.
Ken, it's but a dim memory, but when it first happened and the fire was out of control in the tunnel, some media source said that a homeless person started it. I do not remember where I saw that. Then again, it was the media, never to be believed.
Maybe it was eco-terrorists and they didn't like the fact that the train caused pollution and carried lumber. Envronmentalists make so mad sometimes...
Whatever the cause, it was deliberate. And therefore undeniably born of ignorance. Problem is, these days, there are no consequences for such actions. I just hope that Bill, et al, can somehow hang on. Boxcab E50 [ March 21, 2005, 12:29 PM: Message edited by: BoxcabE50 ]
Bill, Did they get that tunnel finally opened last weekend and what's the state of the Yreka Western, is it still in the air?
Tim .. I'm not sure if they have begun service through the tunnel or not at this time. In as much as gasoline is $2.65 per gallon, I'm not going to make a special run up there to see! YWRR status remains about the same. Had trouble meeting payroll today I understand. Another day in court on the 6th. We'll see what happens there. Thanks for asking though.
Bill- Was just hoping somebody had heard something about the tunnel. Thought perhaps there'd be a couple of railfans, who follow action in your area? Boxcab E50
Tunnel 13 is officially reopened as of around midnight, 5 April 2005. he 'official' grand opening will be in about two weeks. Yeaaaaa!
