I will reply to this with a real answer for you Jim. I know Howard has been busy so I will tell what I know and have seen. He will still have a much better idea of what the true needs are.

Between the KOA and the bridge still needs work. Ballast and Ties. Most is still sitting in the dirt.
North of the new bridge is in fairly decent shape until Aptos but still needs work. After Aptos There are portions that look good and portions that need work. The area in the eucalyptus trees needs a lot of ballast work. There were also some slides there and fallen trees from the winter storms. They have been cleared but not sure what the damage was like.
North of Capitola has some good sections and some that are in the mud until you get to the boardwalk. There is also a lot of junk that they have to keep clearing from the tracks in there too. Homeless camps, abandoned vehicles parked too close, fencings, tires you name it I am sure they have found it.

So short answer the line isn't quite ready for passenger yet other then what is used for the Christmas Trains. I am betting those tank cars are making them a lot more money sitting there then a passenger train could make anyway.

From the Boardwalk to Davenport was class 1 a few years ago. I know there are a few bridges that need work now which is why GGRM has brought in all the extra bridge timbers that are stacked near Swift Street. The ties and rail that is there is for their yard if the move happens. All of that equipment was moved in last year sometime.

Hope that helps give you some idea of what is going on. Howard should be able to fill you in on any more information or corrections there may be when he has the time.



Jim D. Wrote:
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> Hi Howard, I really don't mean to start a
> firestorm here as some past threads, but do you
> know why passenger excursion service hasn't been
> started on the branchline? It seems that the
> bridges have been repaired for a while now and
> things should be ready to go.