Re: Tillamook scrapping----BA&P scrapping???
Author: Erik H.
Date: 07-29-2011 - 12:44
SP5103 Wrote:
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> I think they sold some of the line to
> Portland and Western to allow them to access
> Banks
P&W always had access into Banks; they needed it to go from Hillsboro to North Plains. There is an agreement (don't know the specifics of it) that now allows P&W to switch Banks Lumber who was a POTB customer. (POTB actually owns the line from Banks south towards the northern end of Hillsboro and leases it to P&W.
That said...was just in Tillamook last week. Didn't check out the yard itself within Tillamook but there are no changes to any of the track at the Industrial Park (the former blimp base). Three SD9s still on the property, one ex-SP (which was in the scrapping area) and two ex-BN (in the 'servicing area'). A handful of cars including one Canadien National ACF hopper.
The mainline to the north is still there; the OCSR is operating between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach and runs specials even further north into Wheeler. No changes seen on the eastern end either near Banks.
If you're worried about rail lines being scrapped, the POTB will probably be around for awhile. The Lower Westside south of the Corvallis Airport, on the other hand, is in imminent danger. Abandonment filings already underway with the STB with a half-hearted attempt for an offer of financial assistance from a guy who owns a GE 44-ton switcher...