Reagarding flatland, yes, I realize that. However, just throwing up one's hands and saying bah humbug, is not in the spirit of rail fantasizing. The Austin Term is really a losing freight proposition, as well. What was done here, was to reduce truck traffic, time and shipping expenses, by bringing the rock closer to the highway and building projects, using an existing rail line. As most large projects are subsidized by a relatively few homeowners (much like schools)and other taxes, it reduced the infighting between using rail vs. truck for the entire haul.

They have no real offloading facility. Interestingly enough, the hoe rides the sides of the gondolas to offload. Pretty cheap and portable. As for incoming loads, cigarette papers by the boxcar loads could be shipped inbound to many Humbolt and Mendocino sites. (just joking....)