Amador County’s freight railroad goes from Ione to Galt roughly along the alignment of Twin Cities Road. It carries just enough freight to remain open, but not enough to finance its improvement. Purchasing this spur from Southern Pacific, or entering into any sort of track improvement agreement with them, according to a Board of Supervisors discussion a few years ago, is prohibitively expensive. While this is understandable, it leaves us with few options. But maintaining this rail line is essential for the industries that currently use it and for attracting new industry. It is a far more efficient and far greener than diesel trucks. If gold were to ever be mined here again in large quantities, it would be shipped elsewhere for refining.
One of my primary reasons for supporting the Newman Ridge project is the significantly added rail traffic it will provide. That rail traffic, even on poor track that requires slow movement and several minute waits at grade crossings, along with added truck traffic are manageable. They are insufficient to stop the project, but they are inconvenient and, to some, unpleasant. Many trucks will travel through downtown Ione. The proposed Ione bypass or parkway eliminates this and was a consideration in the project approval. While this is a needed improvement - with or without the added project traffic, and its construction timing uncertain - it seems desirable to extend the track to the part of the project now dependent on truck access. It also seems desirable to upgrade the track so that trains can move more quickly and not tie up highway traffic.
I have a suggestion. It’s not a proposal, since I don’t have the knowledge and specialized expertise to call it a proposal. But it’s a valid suggestion that seems worthy of follow up. Why can’t this entire spur be purchased by a short line railroad company? There are many of them across the country, with some active in California. They are profitable and well capitalized. Could such a company purchase this orphan spur from Southern Pacific? Perhaps they have looked at it in the past, and are unaware of the new development along its route. If this spur was owned by a smaller, more responsive enterprise, could the county have more influence over its future? Could a new railway owner help attract more industry? Would they invest in railway improvements?
So I am asking the Amador Business Council, the Amador County Transportation Commission, the Amador Chamber of Commerce and any agencies or organizations interested to see if this suggestion could become a viable and doable proposal.
Copyright 2014, Mark L. Bennett
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