>
> The Ravensdale coal loads lasted much longer than
> 6 months. From the time Stampede closed until at
> least summer of 2002, they reloaded there. I want
> to say probably 2-3 trains a month ops, it was
> very low volume. Last train I saw was July or
> August of 2002. It was usually 3 geeps and 40 cars
> or so.
I think you might be mistaken, John Henry ran from 1986 until 1991 when for all intents and purposes it closed. Formally it closed in 1999 when it's permit expired. Coal was shipped to Roberts Banks to be shipped to Korea and Japan. It was a very hit and miss operation. Loading was very inefficient as two Fiat wheel loaders were used and it took about 15 minutes to load a car. When three cars were loaded, brakes were released and cars rolled down the siding. First time it happened, Henry's switch was still in place on the siding and was used as the derail. The first car was traveling fast enough that it rolled up into what was then Stuth Septic Tank's yard. It finally stopped about 6 rail lengths from SR 169. When Stampede was re-opened, (in 1996) the switch was removed and all the rail was pulled out. (Except the rail under SR 169 which you can still see the railheads on the west side of the highway.) When the line was re-opened, Kombol was offered a loading spur, which he would have had to finance. That was a non-starter.