A substantial article showed up in today's newspaper in the business section, and does not appear to be available in the on-line editions.

Some excerts from the article in the La Grande Observer/Baker City Herald business section:

"Engine's arrival uncertain"
"Blue Goose remains encumbered by liens in Northern California"

"The Wallowa-Union Railroad Authority's contract operator had financial difficulties when he came to northeast Oregon earlier this year, and he won't be adding his 1915 Baldwin steam locomotive to WURA attractions until some legal issues are resolved."

"The Observer has learned that Court Hammond's former rail company, Yreka Western Railroad, is encumbered with various liens. The encumbered property includes the locomotive known in the railroad world as the Blue Goose, or Locomotive No. 19."

"Hammond is the owner of Sierra Nevada and Pacific (SNAP), the company hired last year to operate excursions along WURA's 64-mile line ..."

Article goes on to list the following liens:

$105,000 loan from City of Montague in 2009 per city recorder

Unknown amount to Chelatchie Boiler Works for repairs in 2008, legal action pending, per owner of company engine cannot be moved from Yreka until paid off

2007 to 2010 the IRS files several liens the largest being $163,700; unknown if any still outstanding

Hammond did not return call to paper for comment; $15,000 also owed WURA.

Per website [www.wurailway.com] : "Wallowa Union Scenic Railway has decided to conclude the 2012 season early. We feel that this decision best allows us to refocus our efforts and time on completing necessary tasks and projects to move forward in 2013."