Back when I was still working with folks like Ginger Gherardi (they don't make Executive Directors like her anymore, able to kick ass and take names), there were lots of UP complaints, after the merger by the Port, with one occasional rumbling and inquiries into taking UP to the STB, over the crappy port service.

One tiny buried aspect of the Santa Paula Branch line passenger reconnect study (using the "new" levee that needs to be done along the river) to the ML line at Saugus, was if there was local or potential port access freight traffic, that might be routed to "another competing carrier" (like say at a place like maybe, ….Barstow?) via ML. The STB would be needed on that too, though, in order to get from Lancaster to Mojave, and a new leg to a wye over to Barstow.

But, the fear was always that would jeopardize the relationship with UP. And, that could delay and/or otherwise jerk the local agencies around over needed LOSSAN north improvements.

Darrin has spent much of his time seemingly more interested in screwing around with the F&W, and I have no idea what the VCTC rail (or highway?) program really is doing these days... Is Leesdale done, yet? And, I have seen little on what this agency is up to lately on issues like this. Most of my old posse up there has retired, too.

Bur, yeah, if the Port wants to remain a viable rail auto ship interface terminal, better track will soon no longer be a luxury, but a necessity.

When you look at facilities like the one in Washington we had the fine drone shots of, and the operation in San Diego, you get an idea of just what a "wooden axle" RR the VC is in that market, by comparison.