From the Surface Transportation Board, this announcement concerning the Encampment (WY) Branch, running from Walcott to Saratoga, WY. Sad news to me, personally: Full Text of Decision 36750 SERVICE DATE - MARCH 2, 2006 DO FR-4915-01-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Docket No. AB-307 (Sub-No. 6X)] Wyoming and Colorado Railroad Company, Inc. -Abandonment Exemption- in Carbon County, WY On February 10, 2006, Wyoming and Colorado Railroad Company, Inc. (WYCO) filed with the Board a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to abandon a 23.71-mile line of railroad between milepost 0.57, near Walcott and milepost 24.28, at Saratoga, in Carbon County, WY. The line traverses United States Postal Service Zip Codes 82331 and 82335 and includes no stations. The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in the railroad's possession will be made available promptly to those requesting it. The interest of railroad employees will be protected by the conditions set forth in Oregon Short Line R. Co. -Abandonment- Goshen, 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979). By issuing this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be issued by May 31, 2006. Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) will be due no later than 10 days after service of a decision granting the petition for exemption. Each OFA must be accompanied by a $1,200 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25). All interested persons should be aware that, following abandonment of rail service and salvage of the line, the line may be suitable for other public use, including interim trail use. Any request for a public use condition under 49 CFR 1152.28 or for trail use/rail banking under 49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than March 22, 2006. Each trail use request must be accompanied by a $200 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(27). All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. AB-307 (Sub-No. 6X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Karl Morell, Of Counsel, Ball Janik LLP, 1455 F Street, N.W., Suite 225, Washington, DC 20005. Replies to the WYCO petition are due on or before March 22, 2006. Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Services at (202) 565-1592 or refer to the full abandonment or discontinuance regulations at 49 CFR part 1152. Questions concerning environmental issues may be directed to the Board's Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) at (202) 565-1539. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.] An environmental assessment (EA) (or environmental impact statement (EIS), if necessary), prepared by SEA, will be served upon all parties of record and upon any agencies or other persons who commented during its preparation. Other interested persons may contact SEA to obtain a copy of the EA (or EIS). EAs in these abandonment proceedings normally will be made available within 60 days of the filing of the petition. The deadline for submission of comments on the EA will generally be within 30 days of its service. Board decisions and notices are available on our website at http://WWW.STB.DOT.GOV. Decided: February 23, 2006. By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of Proceedings. Vernon A. Williams Secretary
Mike- It's being abandoned by a short line. Wyoming and Colorado Railroad Company. I believe their major shipper, (only shipper?), shut down a few years ago. So there's nothing there. Boxcab E50
Ouch.. Sorry to hear it, Bob.. Would be the equivalent of NS shutting down the line thru North Jackson, OH...
Quick..... we have how many members do we have? If everyone pitches in a dollar or two maybe we can buy it for our own use before the nature loving trail hoggers get it
The scenery out there can be nice, but is generally rolling hills, right? I guess ridership would have been low, if the excursion had been tried.
Scenery-wise, you have rolling hills, sagebrush, hay meadows (where there's irrigation from the North Platte River) and the Snowy Range to the east. Not much there, I'm afraid. At least the UP depot has been saved & moved to a new location, joined by a UP caboose.
Mike, You're right on the Moffat Route! Have you explored it west of Denver? I wish I was that close.. When I lived in Cheyenne, WY, I had to drive 120 miles one way to reach Plainview...
