They were in talks with the POTB at one point in time a while ago too.

[tillamookheadlightherald.com]

I guess that didn't work out for them. Not sure why they want to relocate, but the business plan seems shady at best to me. I'd be most worried about having to sign multi-year, much less multi-decade track rights contract with a company and owner who's business plan, practices and finances are questionable. He doesn't have the money to move, much less run his business. He's seeking 6.8 million in grants and other loans according to the Tillamook article. That's sketchy to me. Certainly not solid enough to enter into major agreements with. In the POTB proposal, Modoc would have up to 5 years to move, yet the railroad rights would be tied up with them? Interesting that none of these important details are written about in the latest article.

As far as moving away from the Battleground proposal and towards Yacolt, I'm guessing that Modoc probably feels they'd get less pushback from the Temple family if they don't try to locate right in the middle of their territory.

Modoc keeps pushing for this 20 year lease deal where they pay a tiny amount of money for trackage rights for decades. The Temples already have trackage rights, so I don't know why they would agree to this deal unless it was at the north end of the railroad well away from them.

The scary part is during these hard economic times, cities and counties get desperate, so politicians grab at any straw they can to show they are trying to create jobs. But the question here is, is the trade off of selling away your railroad, really worth it for a company that may be on its last legs and who is somewhat questionable.

Frankly I'm glad to see the POTB has not bought into their sales pitch so far, which may have threatened the OCSR. But now another local railroad is in their sights as well as another local preservation/tourist group. I think I wish Modoc would just go away in my opinion.