(1) Agreed that the Willits- Eureka portion is most likely dead. The Eel River and the tunnels are just too expensive to deal with ... and no revenue stream.
(2) "Also, The California State Government created the North Coast Rail Authority years ago. With no funding. Recenlty a measure passed to essentially kill the NCRA, well..neuter it. THere focus is to examine the feasibility of turning the right of way into 'the great redwood trail' or something to that effect. THe trail is also unlikely as the right of way runs mostly through private property. LAnd owners dont mind a rail(active or not), but people walking throught the land, they are against."
-The locals and the inept politicians have zero idea on how rails to trails works. When they bring in an outside consultant, they contract the cheapest and least experienced without doing adequate due dilligence - sad. The line has been embargoed or discontinuanced for over a decade. Also working against the railroad had been the awful leadership and staff (operating department in search of a disaster) and inbred callous workforce that just didn't understand how to railroad, especially on a cash strapped insular shortline. Politics just made it worse. The well intensioned, lacking in resources and expertise folks from the Eureka Southern/ early NCRA days has been replaced by a bunch of inept political hacks totally out of touch with the situation.
Fred M Cain Does anybody have the latest up-to-date news on what's happening to the old NWP north coast rail line? From what I've been able to learn, the hope that service will ever be restored on this line (Willits-Eureka) seems to be growing dimmer and dimmer. Anybody know? Will any group rise up at the last minute and save this line? Sad fact is, once it's gone it's probably gone forever. Regards, Fred M. Cain, Topeka, IN
Does anybody have the latest up-to-date news on what's happening to the old NWP north coast rail line? From what I've been able to learn, the hope that service will ever be restored on this line (Willits-Eureka) seems to be growing dimmer and dimmer.
Anybody know? Will any group rise up at the last minute and save this line? Sad fact is, once it's gone it's probably gone forever.
Regards,
Fred M. Cain,
Topeka, IN
Hi Fred, I live in Eureka. Right the NWP is leasing the southern portion of the line from the North Coast Rail Authority. Willits to Eureka will never happen. THe rail prism was never stable, and now, it has only grown even worse, especially through the Eel River Canyon. Tale a look on Google Earth. Between the cost and permitting, it just isnt feasible. In eureka, we have nothing to move to make a rail profitable. There is talk of an East West route. THrough mostly federal land. THe idea would be to improve the port at Humboldt Bay, and go east and connect with the national rail network in Red Bluff CA. THis is also highly unlikely.
Also, The California State Government created the North Coast Rail Authority years ago. With no funding. Recenlty a measure passed to essentially kill the NCRA, well..neuter it. THere focus is to examine the feasibility of turning the right of way into 'the great redwood trail' or something to that effect. THe trail is also unlikely as the right of way runs mostly through private property. LAnd owners dont mind a rail(active or not), but people walking throught the land, they are against.
So, in essence, barring a miracle, the line is dead. It would take billons of dollars and years to get the line open. and then, we still have no viable items to ship to support the rail. Lumber and gravel is all we have.
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