Yreka Western cancels Summer 2009 operations

http://www.yrekawesternrr.com/

April 15, 2008- The Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad ( CORP) failed to secure a new shipping agreement with the shippers for the Siskiyou line, from Black Butte to Medford. This failure to obtain a new contract impacted the financial outcome of the Yreka Western Railroad, as it connects to the CORP in Montague. Negotiations have been ongoing to resolve this shipping dilemma and restore freight service.

During this time, Yreka Western Railroad, which is owned by the non-profit Rocky Mountain Railway & Mining Museum, has seen a loss in most freight revenue and has seen its 2008 tourism numbers severely impacted by the flailing economy and California wildfires.

Due to these and other factors, the Yreka Western Railroad has been forced to cancel its tourist railroad operation for the summer season in 2009.

The future of tourism on Yreka Western Railroad is unclear. A loss of of this Siskiyou County attraction would negatively impact the county, the Cities of Yreka and Montague, and tourism in the region.

Some Yreka Western photos:

http://www.snowcrest.net/photobob/ywrr.html

Love the MSR1 is freight service!

The last time I paid a visit to the YWRR in Oct '10, they were storing cars on the main track from the old warehouses along Foothill Dr. cutting the crossing at Juniper Dr. and nearly all the way out to where Pine Ridge Lumber Co. had its mill. YW 19 was having extensive work done inside the shop at Yreka, with the hopes they said of being able to operate during Summer of 2012. Does anyone have any current info on YW, or CORP operations south of Ashland? I have heard that the CORP has pretty much ceased operations south of the Siskiyous; ironic given all of the money and atttention given towards rehabbing Tunnel 13.

I meant to say that the YW hoped to have the 19 running by Summer, 2011.