G. Jenista,
I'm not sure what date the rails actually were removed, I'm guessing it occurred in the late 1990's or early 2000's. I drove through Marsing and Homedale around two years ago and the rails were gone.


Here is some info I researched:

February 4, 1997, the Union Pacific Railroad Company (Union Pacific) submitted notice to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission that Union Pacific intended to abandon its Homedale Branch from milepost 33.5 in Marsing to milepost 11.4 in Adrian, Oregon.

According to data included with Union Pacific’s application to the Surface Transportation Board, there were 49 cars shipped on the Homedale Branch in 1995 and 42 cars in 1996. Union Pacific expects this to decrease to 39 cars during the current year. Union Pacific states that it expects to incur an operating loss of $209,836 for the year May 1, 1997 through April 30, 1998, if it continues to operate the line. In addition, Union Pacific calculates a lost opportunity cost for the same period of $242,390. Union Pacific contends that because of alternate truck transportation as well as its continued services at Wilder, there will be "minimal adverse effect on local interests" resulting from the abandonment.

In 1995, three shippers in Idaho shipped 49 carloads over the line and in 1996 five Idaho shippers shipped 42 carloads, for a total of 91 carloads in the two-year period. The 91 carloads for the two years consisted of 57 carloads of fertilizer, 27 carloads of farm products (composed of 21 carloads of onions, 4 carloads of beans and 2 carloads of apples) and 7 carloads of transportation equipment (locomotives). The rail line of the abandonment consists of 22.10 miles of branch line track and 1.15 miles of sidings. The line is presently classified at FRA Class 2 standards and operated at 20 mph, except for the segment between mileposts 32.9 and 33.5 where the line is classified at FRA Class 1 standards and is operated at 10 mph. Abandonment of the line would permit avoidance of the expense of a major new grade crossing near Homedale which otherwise would be required by construction of a new four-lane highway U.S. 95 bypass in 1997.


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 109X)]

Union Pacific Railroad Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Malheur
County, OR and Owyhee County, ID (Homedale Branch)

On May 2, 1997, Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) filed with the
Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502
for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 and 10904 to
abandon a segment of UP's Homedale Branch, extending from milepost 11.4
near Adrian, OR, to the end of the line at milepost 33.5 near Marsing,
ID. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 97901, 83628, and
83639, a distance of 22.1 miles, in Malheur County, OR, and Owyhee
County, ID, and includes the non-agency stations of Napton, OR--
milepost 16.90; Homedale, ID--milepost 24.50; Petty, ID--milepost
25.89; and Marsing--milepost 33.10.
The line contains federally granted rights-of-way, tentatively
determined to total 7.45 acres, of which 6.28 acres are located in
Oregon south of Adrian at approximately milepost 12.0, and 27,500
square feet are located in Idaho north of Homedale at about milepost
23.1.
By issuance of this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be
issued within 90 days (by August 20, 1997).

Decided: May 16, 1997.



Steve