Thanks Robert! I was mostly confused about the fact that it's been some time since the county's purchase of the line, and I thought that perhaps Iowa Pacific had some sort of obligation to provide passenger service in a timely manner.

Robert Wrote:
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> 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:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > 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.