Re: Humboldt dirtBag Trail
Author: Alf Doten
Date: 10-10-2020 - 09:11
Well.....the THA is well on their way to establishing a logging/rail museum site at the Samoa Roundhouse and Shops. They are close to gaining title to several historic structures and will ride Samoa's application to the National Register of Historic Places. They need more cover for their collection of coaches in that ocean environment. Unfortunately the site is only a few feet above sea level....and I keep waiting for the timber industry, whose heritage the organization's mission is supposed to be about, to pitch in a little more than just an "attaboy." Seems amusement rides at the logging conference is about it?
As for the railroad, with several bridges in need of repair and track out of service for 22 years.....at a million dollars a mile, 5 million to get to Arcata, maybe another 8 to get to Eureka ? ? There's drainage issues, major crossing protection, cleanup only applicable to California, the Coastal Commission and on and on. You are going to see a nice industrial heritage museum develop at Samoa in the coming years, and maybe useable track north to Manilla(2 miles). But as far as the rest of the railroad goes beyond trail use.....it's "sugar daddy" time.