by mtuandrew
GulfRail: I could see either a reopened MILW from Ellensburg to Lind, WA, or a reopened SP&S from Pasco to Spokane, but not both. Both MILW and SPS have been mothballed in decent condition as far as I know. I don't know who owns the SPS right of way and whether it is continuous, but MILW is state-owned and railbanked.
As much as I want to see trains on the Pacific Extension, I think the SP&S is a better bet for BNSF. It has a fully water-level route from Pasco to Spokane (I think I've read a maximum of 0.5% grade?), which the Milwaukee can't beat - and longer/flatter beats shorter/hillier for today's traffic patterns.
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Already shared my thoughts on the CRIP Choctaw and on CASO, so those can stand.
As much as I want to see trains on the Pacific Extension, I think the SP&S is a better bet for BNSF. It has a fully water-level route from Pasco to Spokane (I think I've read a maximum of 0.5% grade?), which the Milwaukee can't beat - and longer/flatter beats shorter/hillier for today's traffic patterns.
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Already shared my thoughts on the CRIP Choctaw and on CASO, so those can stand.