Re: SD&AE Successor in Trouble
Author: BOB2
Date: 01-06-2015 - 16:41
This should not be a surprise to anyone.
This operation appears never to have had the necessary capital, nor managerial expertise to restore or operate this line.
I have participated in a number of studies of options to restore and operate this line over the years. And, while there may be markets for this route, but they are limited. So while this line is not as "dead" as any extension beyond, as is the case with the NWP, it's damn close.
Most of the options to reopen and restore full operations to the SDAE route are tied to the ports needs, and they will never be realized, without a significant investment, of at least $40 million, just to allow for any operations. And, up to a half a billion if this line were to be made "tri-level" and "double stack" capable (assuming a ports investment in an auto shipping base and/or a container base sufficient to sustain the return on investment and operating costs?????).
It is a wonderful place to visit, and easily accessed in many places. But, until someone realizes what this really will take and agrees to put up that kind of money, private, ports, or damn gubmint, ain't nothing gonna happen any time soon.