Al Tamont Wrote:
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> From what I see, Niles Canyon Ry builds track
> cheaper and faster than anyone.
>
> Are these mostly volunteers?
>
> [www.ncry.org]
>
> [www.ncry.org]
> Ry_MOW_EastofVerona_220108_CRH_1200px-768x719.jpg

All volunteers. Some of the tie-replacement has been contracted out and one yard track put in by GGRM contractors, but the rest of the track was installed by PLA MOW gangs. When we were building west we averaged 1 1/2 miles a year. It doesn't sound like much but considering we were only working on Saturdays that wasn't bad. Over time we have bought a lot more MOW equipment making the job a lot easier.

And as far as the switch to the outside world, when I joined in 1988 SP offered to reinstall a switch in Niles to connect to the mainline for $55,000 plus a yearly fee of $5,000 (if I remember correctly) to maintain it. The high cost was due to it being a mainline switch onto the CTC controlled mainline where the Capitol Corridor trains were operating. We didn't have that kind of money back then, so we had to pass. We weren't able to connect to the outside world until 2004 when we finally connected with the UP at Hearst. The Hearst connection is to a set-out track off of Hearst siding, so we are not directly connected to the main line. It works out better for everybody.