I didn't have a good feeling once I looked at the "new" YW website which describes the Yreka Western as thriving operation with freight, transloading and intermodal service! Amazing because I haven't seen a wheel turn in years. Plus, if Court Hammond is still around, all the shippers on the YW have already said repeatedly they won't do business with the YW if he is still involved with the operations. So is their plan to plug the line full of stored cars again? Because they certainly won't be hauling any freight. Additionally, I can't find anything with the STB about this acquisition, which too me is also a bit shady. And to top it all off, Court Hammond hasn't legally owned the "Yreka Western Railroad" name with the California Secretary of State for well over a year now. A quick search on their website yielded these results. Looks like Hammond has found a new set of crooks to run around with. It's really unfortunate, for a minute there I thought there might be some hope for the amazing little railroad where I got my railroad career started. Time to play more of the waiting game I suppose.

Matt Starman
Yreka, CA