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McCloud River Railroad - McCloud Railway - Present |
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Over the years that I have considered putting
together such a website I always thought it would feature nothing but
positive news about the present and future of the railroad. Since it's
purchase by private interested investors the railroad has been
flourishing. With an insurgence of some new business, along with
the institution of excursion service and dinner train, the railroad has
been showing signs of life. The past of the McCloud River Railroad has
always been spotted with disasters and set-backs and it has always found
a way to bounce back. After all, is there ever a time when the world
wouldn't need lumber.
However , a combination of modern day construction techniques, modern day transportation, modern day environmental restrictions and modern day market factors had left the beloved railroad teetering close to the edge of financial trouble. Then things piled up, the mill in McCloud closed again, while not as busy as the previous mill it still provided business. BNSF closed the connecting line to the inside gateway line virtually erasing the paper storage and shipping that Sprint Reload was doing at McCloud and coupled with the effects of Mother Nature over the past few years, the MCR has found itself in an untenable position. The current owner has filed for the right to abandon it's common carrier status over the majority of the line, and while there is minor opposition to this , it will likely happen in the beginning of the year. The remaining line, from McCloud to Mt Shasta will remain open for The Dinner train and excursion. While the current owners are looking for a buyer of the remaining railroad, there is hope on the horizon for the fragment left, with Nestle petitioning to open a water bottling plant on the site of the McCloud mill. Fingers are crossed and prayers are being muttered that our railroad will be continuing, in some form for some time to come. Information Source, Mt Shasta News 9-14-05 Information Source, Mt Shasta News 10-5-05 Additional Note: The above mentioned line abandonment mentioned above has indeed occurred and the Once 100 mile short line has been reduced to what it originally started out as, a line over the southern side of Mt Shasta into the McCloud River area. With the only commodity being carried these days, tourists. The days of hauling "pine over the mountain" are over. 1-14-08
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McCloud Caboose #102
Not much use on this line. Track into rip track in McCloud |
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