No problem. I think the Christmas trains currently comply with that requirement. The dinner train or wine train plan from Santa Cruz to Davenport hasn't been talked about lately. It is possible that GGRM might do that if they come here but that is just a guess.

Howard would definitely know that answer way better then me.

The previous post from Negin is also correct. Most of the railroad in the Aptos and Capitola area has turned into what most people think is their own personal walking path too which might also be part of the hold up of running passenger excursions as well. The railroad has also been dealing with farmers adding their own personal crossings too and blocking the rails with dirt for their tractors to cross more conveniently.




Jim D. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 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:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > 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.