01-08-2011, 03:12 PM
Here's a question for our experts who have worked or are working for railroads:
What happens to abandoned rolling stock left on a right of way?
Along the UP line from the Royal Gorge northwest towards Buena Vista and Leadville are probably around two hundred long-abandoned ore cars, sitting on the rails and rusting into oblivion. My understanding is that rolling stock like this is either stored somewhere and maintained, or scrapped. What happens if there is a need to clear the line and the cars are no longer fit to be moved?
If blocking the line to prevent improper usage by the Royal Gorge Railroad was the objective, I can think of a lot of cheaper and more efficient ways to do that. Meanwhile, the rust, petroleum product run-off and other contaminants constantly leach into the Arkansas River.
What happens to abandoned rolling stock left on a right of way?
Along the UP line from the Royal Gorge northwest towards Buena Vista and Leadville are probably around two hundred long-abandoned ore cars, sitting on the rails and rusting into oblivion. My understanding is that rolling stock like this is either stored somewhere and maintained, or scrapped. What happens if there is a need to clear the line and the cars are no longer fit to be moved?
If blocking the line to prevent improper usage by the Royal Gorge Railroad was the objective, I can think of a lot of cheaper and more efficient ways to do that. Meanwhile, the rust, petroleum product run-off and other contaminants constantly leach into the Arkansas River.