An update on the Yreka Western/Blue Goose tourist railroad: The YW depot and grounds in Yreka are a mess. The electricity has been disconnected; and there's no water either. No one has worked there for a couple of months. Reportedly, the depot has been broken into at least three times over the past several months, evidenced by a large sheet of red plywood covering a broken window, (a result of a break-in) at the front of the depot. Break-ins are likely due to the lack of lighting around the grounds, and obviously, the alarm system can't function without power. What used to be wine barrels full of beautifil flowers, and planters full of greenery that once greeted hundreds of riders, are now all void of any living plants. The scene remindes me of a pioneer cematery located in the high desert. The Blue Goose steam excursion train has not operated since late 2008. As most are aware of, all rails have been lifted and sold for scrap, with exception of the main line between Yreka and Montague. Only the lead from the old main line to the engine house/shop remain. The main line south of the depot to the Siskiyou Fair Grounds has also been sold for scrap. Old #19 is still locked up in the engine house, but is about to be put to auction. There's no date set for that auction, but it will likely be by spring. The YW had lost a judgement in court due to a lien foreclosuer. The 19 was left in a state of disrepair, but can be brought back to running condition with ease. The 1953 GE SW-8 #21 is located parked on rails at Timber Products lumber company, but that locomotive too is under a lien. It's fate is unknown at this time. It's twin sister, #20 was scrapped over a year ago; and the ALCO MRS-1 #244 was scrapped earlier this year. There iare possible criminal action(s) against the YW's owner, Mr. Court Hammond by a few entities for theft and fraud. Union Pacific RR is charging theft of cars, which had been cut up for scrap or sold as bridge platforms; while the owner of the McCloud RR has reportedly filed for breaking and entering and the unauthorized use of a locomotive. All of which are FRA felonies. Hammond has been accused of bilking local and outside business and other interests, including the City of Montague out of more than 1.3 million dollars. The total debt for all is nearly 2 million dollars. Some of these entities are considering bringing theft/larsony charge(s) against him. There is a group of people who are interested in acquiring the depot to convert it to an business complex. There's also a seperate interest by others to resurect the Blue Goose, and freight business from Timber Products. However, no one will move on any part of it as long as Court Hammond is any interest or part of ownership. At present, Hammond is hiding out in Colorado. It's not likely he will show his face in Yreka again. So ... all in-all, while the YW is still on 'life support', it is not quite dead yet!
That is sure sad news, Bill. That was such a nice depot and a great tourist railway. Was the big scale model railroad still in the depot when these breakins occurred, and if so, was it vandalized? I seem to remember you had a lot to do with that model railroad.
Ken; the big deal with the Wallala (sp?) Union RR in NE Oregon was terminated by the WURR because Hammond failed to meet contractual provision(s). Plus, he owes the WURR $15,000. The WURR retains possession of the old YW caboose as collateral. Jim; The model railroad is still in the YW warehouse, but the club can't operate due to the lack of power. The membership is working on finding a new home for it. To my knowledge, the office part of the depot was the only part of the building that was entered, and no damage was done to the model.
I was afraid we'd be reading something of this nature. Of course, should anyone legitimate come along thereafter, this failure leaves a very bad taste behind. The good will of any involved communities is ruined.
This is a message I sent to Fitz after he asked me about an upcoming auction for the YW's #19 on Tuesday, 24 Sept. 2013: Good morning, Jim. Yes ... I just got the message yesterday about the upcoming auction of the 19 from Bill Ainsworth, who was my fireman at the YW. I really do not know what a 'decent' price would snag the 19. I do know the note on the loco was something like $145K. There's alot of work that needs to be done on her! I have also learned there is a group of local business persons who are going to bid in an effort to keep the 19 in Yreka; and there's interest by others to acquire the right of way and still another is interested in the depot and out buildings. This last individual is interested in building a restaurant on the pad at the south end of the depot and using the depot for an office complex. I do not have any names to go with this information ... I just hope it's true and we can keep the railroad going! I went by the YW last Friday and noticed someone has 'tagged' the Harriman car that is sitting out in front of the depot. The place looks really bad, and it's obvious it's going to take lots of moola to do anything with the property and railroad. I also went by Timber Products and noted that #21 is still sitting on the wood chip loading track. However, it had been moved to the east end of the 2 cars from the west end. I don't know who moved it but heard that Hammond was seen in town and served with papers. Why he was not arrested baffles me! Good luck with your bid, Jim. Bill
I learned yesterday the lien-holder is going to set a base price of $150,000 for the 19. Things are a little shakey about the local attempt to save it for the YW. Guess we'll have to wait and see what happens.
Bill- Shaky? Does that mean the local group is not the best in organization? In character? Or lacking financial means? Or?
There's plenty of money in this area ... several millionaires as a matter of fact. I can't say there is a problem with organization or not. I know there is one individual who is working his tail off to save the 19. We, (my fireman and I) are working close with him when we can. There''s supposed to be a Siskiyou County Economic Development meeting in the days to come. I will do my best to attend because the Blue Goose and YW will be on the agenda.
I was in Yreka yesterday morning and swung around to take a look at the railroad. I spotted a white pickup truck parked down by the engine house/shop and the large door to the engine house was open. I thought maybe Court Hammond was there, but wondered how in the world he might have gotten by the locks that were placed on the building by the Sheriff's office. I drove down there and observed two people, a man and a woman come around from the side of the building. They saw me and seemed to 'duck' down behind the truck for a minute or so. Then they walked into the engine house. I have no authority as an employee any more, but I went in and contacted them. It turns out they are from the Civil Division of the Sheriff's office and they were there to inventory all of the parts for the 19, which is up for auction on the 25th of October. She told me there has been many inquiries from all across the US about the 19. She also told me they had ducked down when they saw me because they thought I might be Court Hammond ... and they were going to 'hook him up' (arrest him) if it was. LOL It was a fairly long time since I've seen the 19. She looks pretty bad ... dirty and obviously has parts missing. Almost brought a tear to my eye. Sure hate to see her go.
Sad state of things for sure. The 2-8-2 #19 was the same one once used in Cottage Grove Oregon on the late Oregon Pacific & Eastern. The #19 also stared along with 2-8-0 #5 in the movei "Emporer of teh North" with Lee Marvin and Earnest Borgnine. The #19 is a good looking mike. I rode the "Goose" at Cottage Grovwe several times. The OP&E bought several former Illinois Central coaches and a tavern car for the tourist train. Anyone know what happend to the former IC coaches?
It's been awhile since I last brought things up to date regarding the YW. On the day the 19 was to go to auction, Court Hammond appeared with his oily attorney and claimed the auction was illegal because there was another lien-holder who he owed more money to than the current lien-holder who had foreclosed and brought the auction forth. A little investigaton brought to light, this so-called higher lien-holder is a "friend" of Court Hammond. They have been tight for years. Accordingly, I sense this is a fabricated lien designed to stall off the sale of the 19 so that Court can sell it off himself to this so-called lien-holder who will then be a 'partner' of Court Hammond and allow Court to retain ownership of the 19. I expect the first lien-holder may be offered a less than owed settlement by Hammond. But if not I'm sure there will be an extensive, drawn-out legal fight. Court is well known to just drag out those suits just to wear down the opposition. Why wasn't Court Hammond arrested when he came to the auction you ask? Good question! I'm still scratching my head over that one. "Teflon" John Gotti has nothing over Court Hammond! So ... things are back to square one as there's nothing new to add regarding local efforts to save the YW.
Sounds to me like there were 2 snakes in the courtroom that day. Court Hammond and his attorney. It takes a snake to know a snake.
Bill, a bit off topic, the Portland TV stations are bringing up the "rebirth" of the State of Jefferson effort. Are you involved?
Jim ... yes, I'm involved. We do not want to secede from the Union, but from the state of California.
I learned yesterday the court rejected Hammond's claim of a greater lien holder. The court has returned the sale of the 19 by auction, although no date has been set. I expect Hammond will appeal and appeal and appeal until the lien-holder runs out of funds to continue the fight. If the 19 does sell by auction, there is a wealthy party from Ohio who wants her. Somehow, I get the feeling at the back of my neck this party is also working in Hammond's benefit as Court has spend significant time in Ohio in the past. Just a hunch! No new news on the home-front regarding saving the railroad locally. I will report as I get any information.
