Plummer branch is in dire need of ties. Freeman derailment was due to poor ties. The hardwood ties that UP used in the past rot from the center out and look pretty good to the naked eye, but in many cases you can bend over and pull out the spikes with your hand. Talked to a UP foreman about a year ago he said last big tie renewal was in the early 1980's, good drainage and heavy rail have kept things as good as they are. Watco is the operator people don't want to mention, and I doubt they will want to run excursions. The Cda Indians several years ago were wanting to buy the line and run freight and excursions from Spokane to their casino near Worley, but they were unable to come to terms with UP over the liability related to the heavy metals that could possibly contaminate the roadbed from the mining traffic from Wallace and Kellogg. All that heavy steel would make the line attractive to A&K Railroad materials---oops, er I mean Watco, yeah that's the ticket, Watco.