JUST HEARD FROM DOUGLAS TIMBER OPERATOR'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BOB RAGON THAT CORP LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY WILL CLOSE THE SOUTH END OF THE SISKIYOU LINE FROM ASHLAND TO HILT ON JANUARY 15th, 2008 .
Okay, excuses aside, I don't think CORP or its parent company RailAmerica is serious about providing rail service anymore. I think it's time to look for someone else to operate this and the Coos Bay line.
Rail shippers in Southern Oregon and Northern California are getting the news they have been fearing. Central Oregon and Pacific will begin rerouting rail traffic off the Siskiyou Line starting January 15th. A letter from CORP spokesman Tom Hawksworth refers to the change as a ‘reroute’ that will actually benefit shippers in the end. But those shippers are apparently not buying it. Roseburg Forest Products CEO Allyn Ford calls it ‘a grave situation’ that is a clear step toward an eventual closure of the line between Ashland and Weed. Douglas Timber Operators Executive Director Bob Ragon calls the change a ‘shutdown’ that will continue to harm shippers in Southern Oregon. Both men fear the long term impact rail changes will have on manufacturing, the timber industry and jobs in Southern Oregon. Hawksworth’s letter starts by telling shippers, ‘CORP has a business problem. We lose money operating over the Siskiyou Subdivision.’ Hawksworth’s letter says all traffic from the Oregon/California border will be interchanged in Eugene starting on the 15th. Traffic moving south from the border starting at Hornbrook, will continue south to connect with the Union Pacific interchange in Weed. Hawksworth’s letter tells shippers that they will not see a change in their rates and will not be charged if their cars travel further than they do today. The change will reduce most of the tonnage moving over the Siskiyou subdivision. But that news is not comforting to Ragon and Ford. Ragon says the value of products produced in the area will be affected by the increase in the amount of time it will take to reach the southwest US. Ford says he has a hard time believing rates will stay the same. And both men are still anrgy over the lack of communication CORP and Rail America are allowing with stakeholders from the state of Oregon to shippers on the coast. When reached for comment this morning, Hawksworth said the Siskiyou changes are totally different than the sudden embargo on the Coos Bay Line. He also said the amount of rail traffic through Roseburg will not double as previously reported by some angry shippers. Rather, the 100 cars that come through Roseburg will only increase by about 30. He referred further questions to CORP’s parent company, Rail America.
I thought CORP was going to have some big plans with the Siskiyou Line after they reopened the summit tunnel.
I used to think CORP was interested in moving railcars, too, but now I think they're just trying to liquidate assets and/or extort money. The irony is that I just picked up, yesterday, some Red Caboose centerbeams in CORP lettering that I ordered back a few months ago. I think I will run them anyway on my PNWR layout and pretend that PNWR took over their operations. Adam
Well that seemed liked a waste of time, about the tunnel I mean. Its only been reopened for what 2 years now. And what is this going to mean for the Yreka Western?
I think you hit the nail on the head. I am glad Oregon rescinded a grant for the Roseburg yard after the summary embargo on the Coos Bay line, and I am glad Oregon is playing hardball with CORP. How much public money was spent on the tunnel you speak of just to have them walk away from it anyway? If Oregon caved in and spent millions performing the upgrades and repairs CORP wants on the Coos Bay line, how long would it be before CORP would come up with some other excuse to not move railcars? :angry::angry::thumbs_down::thumbs_down:
When the tunnel finally reopened, YW was within inches of going under. I'm just hoping the area officials are quite upset now. And really put the RR under a microscope. I don't recall the funding of repairs. But after only a couple of years, whoever kicked in funds, should be a little more than grumpy. Boxcab E50
Typical shortline BS. Take over a line, run it into the ground, don't put any money into track or property, then try to put the blame on someone else. If an operator is unwilling to keep the 'Main' opened, don't get it to begain with. I would bet when they got the property, they were promised or thought they would get more business then they actually got or have now. Since Shortlines are constantly looking for ways to make or save money, this is the quick fix for this property. Next quarters profits should be much better, and the poor managers should all pat themselfs on the back for a job well done, and the additional bonus checks they will recieve.
Who owns the track CORP is operating? How can CORP be sent packing, and another operator (say, another G&W line) step in? How long will things go until CORP turns into CORPse?
This news sucks, but is not unexpected. Business in this country in the past 20 years has been all about grabbing as much as you can, cash out and leave everyong hanging. Micro-Trains (where I work) is right on the line...matter of fact my house is 20 yards away from a small bridge and I'm going to miss the morning and evening runs. I can't see much traffic from Ashland, there's nothing there to ship from or too...Medford...Harry and David I guess will be the Southern most trip now. On the modeling side, I was gearing up to do a bunch of CORP Loco's and Rolling Stock for our Z modules, but I guess I'll continue to re-live the glory days of SP and the Bloody Nose and forget CORP...Now to change that stupid Avitar.. P Joe MTL
