Howard Wrote:
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> Sam Reeves Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Brian Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > The ROW certainly seems in good shape.
> >
> > The rail is literally peeling in some places
> near
> > Davenport. It's a good thing they are just
> using
> > that portion of the line for storage.
> >
> > Sam Reeves Photography • On Deviant Art • On
> > Facebook• On Tumblr
>
> Sam,
>
> I have not seen the rail condition you describe
> around Davenport, but I have seen spalling at one
> location north of Watsonville. I though I should
> report it and was told the following:
>
> The spalling of the head of the rail on the
> outside is not unusual or any problem. It is
> caused from the rail being worn from main line
> service, which was re-laid on this branch line by
> UP. The railhead is worn and the outside edge is
> rolled and spalling. However, this rail is fine
> for the type of service it currently has. The
> track is basically in good condition and with the
> continued maintenance will continue to be so. The
> track has a detailed inspection each month, and
> has been recently inspected by both Federal and
> State railroad inspectors.
>
> From what I have observed Sierra Northern is
> actively maintaining and upgrading the line. The
> day I took these photos I noticed two Sierra
> Northern employees walking and inspecting the line
> around the West end of Santa Cruz. I think the
> branch line is in good hands with Sierra
> Northern.

I think it's at a level or below what Union Pacific put into the line. The last maintenance blitz was in 2005 IIRC.

If you drive up to Bonny Doon Beach or Davenport Beach, you'll see the rail peeling and shredding off the railhead. It's going to take a lot of work to get a passenger train to roll there.

Sam Reeves Photography • On Deviant Art • On Facebook• On Tumblr