BOB2 Wrote:
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> Yes, there is a large existing rock and aggregate
> operation north of Willits that does ship by
> truck, and would be able to ship by rail if
> service is restored.
>
> Lumber traffic is going to be very limited in the
> future, as we've probably managed to cut down most
> of the viable remaining redwood forests in the
> area. And, there is no market for the madrone and
> scrub oaks that have mostly replaced the redwood
> forests, that used to be there.
>
> Certain fringe enviro groups will/have gone
> absolutely ape$#*t crazy over this extension, but
> the recent court victories for the RR may make it
> possible to finance and restore operations to
> Willits.


Bob 2 you usually have thoughtful well written posts that I agree with. I think you missed the mark on this one. I am unaware of a large existing quarry north of Willits. There is a rock quarry south of Willits at Ridgewood but it has never shipped by rail. When the line was open and still running NWP shipped gravel south that was skimed mined out of the Eel river at Nashmead. There was also a load out pit at Longvale. There is a huge potential quarry at Island Mountain but the cost to reopen would be in the hundreds of millions making it unfeasable.. It would also face huge opposition up north. Aggregate moving by rail has very low profit margins.
Redwoods forests when cut down regrow fir in the cool moist valleys. While I don't have any data to prove it there is probably more marketable timber available now than in years past in Mendocino and Humboltd counties.
Reopening rail to Willits would require a huge investment to repair the three percent mountain grade between Redwood Valley and Willits. I don't believe there is a enough rail traffic north of Redwood valley to warrant that kind of investment. The rail line currently ends in Windsor and may get rebuilt to Cloverdale someday. North of Cloverdale NWP follows the Russian river north to Ukiah with drainage issues similar to the Eel river, slides and sinks. There are also five tunnels, one is collasped others would need rebuilding.I won't say never but trains north of Cloverdale are unlikely anytime soon.