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Lottery money to pay for tunnel improvements in Oregon
The article states that CO&P is owned by Genessee & Wyoming, which was not the case a dozen years ago when I videotaped the CO&P and the W&P/P&W. The latter were G&W properties then, so run-through power could be seen now.
Glendale was a major interchange for trains south from Roseberg and north from Medford/Grants Pass. As I recall, there was one tunnel just south of Glendale on the Medford line and three north of Glendale. Since each line probably sees only one train each way each day, continuing operations while notching the tunnels would be relatively easy to coordinate.
For Oregon a choice between spending 5 million on rail or seeing that traffic on the highways. This is cheap compared to highway spending. When spending public dollars many times you have to look at the bigger picture. By the way highway contractors spend a whole lot more money on lobbying then railroads. Especially at the state and local level.
Picture of a Portland and Western Locomotive on an article about Central Oregon and Pacific…
Good for the CO&P anyhow!
You have to wonder where the lottery money goes when it isn’t being used for crony capitalism. I could see the state spending money on the line if the state owned the line and leased it to a private operator. But as I understand it, everything is owned by G&W. I will admit I am not familiar with Oregon’s constitution. for all I know, crony capitalism and political kickbacks are legal in that state.
I wonder if Oregon is doing this hoping somehow and someday to re-establish thru service on this line.
Another case of corporate welfare. It’s obvious that local politicians have had their pockets lined with campaign contributions from G&W recently.
Not all actions are the result of a conspiracy. It’s important to improve service on this line. Heightening the tunnels will do just that. The alternative, as the article stated, was to use trucks. Given that the funding is coming from the state lottery, not bribed corporations, this is a win-win for the state.
Goosie, why don’t you use the same vitriol on the highway lobby that you use against government spending on rail project. Since you are a trucker, you would be goring your own ox. Am I not correct?
Wouldn’t life be grand if JEFFERY had to quote the sources for his never ending string of outrageous claims? One would think he would after so many have exposed his errors. I lost count of them somewhere around 160. I do suspect sometimes he is secretly an editor at “Trains” throwing out these incendiary comments to both amuse us and, at the same time, ignite our passion for railroads.
Funny both negative commenters aren’t even from or in Oregon. Since state funds are being spent it has no bearing or effect on them.