100% agree with you here Dick (though I suspect you've spent a LOT more time in the area than I have). Eastern CA of my favorite areas both for RR photography and just for taking in the beauty and solitude.
It is my understanding that the Gateway Sub is getting CTC in one form or another. I'm not privy to the details, so I'm not sure if it's a full install or a few CTC islands or what exactly. This was supposedly started earlier this year, though I believe it has been being looked at for some time prior. I've also heard talk of the Oregon Trunk potentially getting some amount of CTC once they are done with the Gateway Sub, but who knows if that'll actually come to pass.
For fun here is a shot of a northbound manifest a bit north of Bieber a few months back... Sure is a beautiful area!
Take care,
~Matt