Re: Mt. Hood RR, updates anyone??
Author: Jeff Moore
Date: 12-19-2007 - 21:04
In reply to Rich Hunn's post...he said "I would expect that the line will be reopened to it's full length as they will want to build on the freight base and not try to be a tourist only line."
Correct me if I am wrong, but the part of the line that is currently washed out has never handled any freight since the Mt. Hood regained its independence. As I read it, that was actually the main reason for getting the shortline up and running in the first place. The fruit packing plant that was the only freight shipper in Parkdale closed, which put the upper end of the line in jeapordy. A group of locals tried to buy just it to see that UP didn't rip it up and ended up with the entire railroad instead.
It will be interesting to see what changes- if any- the Permian Basin ownership (if it goes through) brings. The Connect Oregon funding application list released within the last day or so has a listing indicating the Mt. Hood has applied for a lot of money to help with the washout repair.
Jeff Moore
Elko, NV