Hmmm, if you read the STB filing linked above, you will see that the president of the acquiring company, Lassen Valley Railway LLC, is one Michael J. Van Wagenen.

Michael Van Wagenen is also Vice President of Grenada Railway, LLC and Natchez Railway, LLC in Missisippi.

Read this press release {snippet is below} by him explaining that even though Grenada Railway & Natchez Railway "share common ownership with A&K Railroad Materials", they really don't intend to scrap them. I wonder if there will be a similar statement about the Flanigan Lead.

[www.mspress.org]

First, let us put everyone at ease & dispel some misconceptions about Grenada Railway & Natchez Railway. These railroad companies are not subsidiaries of A&K Railroad Materials, Inc., the nation’s leading supplier of new and used materials to shortline railroads. These railroad companies do share common ownership with A&K, but each are separate & independent business units. Our intent in purchasing these Lines from CN is not to abandon these Lines and salvage the rail & other materials, but rather we plan to do the exact opposite. We understand the importance of the Lines and good freight rail service to these communities and we intend to turn each Line into profitable and healthy railroads for many years to come.