Government B. Counter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> All we know thus far:
>
> 1. There are no visible filings/abandonments on
> the STB webpage. Check for yourself.

This is probably not a good indicator as to whether abandonment is pending or not.

Railroads contemplating abandonment must go through a fairly lengthy paperwork process prior to any documents being filed with the STB. This includes public notices in newspapers and consultation with a long list of Federal and State agencies. If what Bill says is true, and having talked with Bill several times in the past I have no reason to doubt him, I think any news of the pending abandonment will show up as a legal notice in the Siskiyou Daily News and other local papers long before the railroad files a formal abandonment petition with the STB. Any first indications of an abandonment are almost certain to show up as incoming correspondence in the Environmental section of the STB website, probably from USGS. If YW is starting the abandonment consultation process now, I would not expect to see a formal Exemption asking for abandonment filed until late June/early July at the earliest.

As for the red caboose, I know of at least one party who had a lien on the caboose before it left California. I suspect there are likely multiple claims around the caboose, and its future is probably tied up in years of litigation.

Also, I'm also of the understanding the #19 has been forclosed upon and is now owned by a third party, and that neither Hammond nor anyone representing him bothered to appear at the court hearing where that was finalized.

I have also heard from a couple sources that foreclosure procedings are in progress on the Yreka depot as well.

It was a good ride while it lasted. Once the freight business went away, as that point the railroad was as good as dead no matter who owned it.

Jeff Moore
Elko, NV