Looking for information about the old railroad track running through Ashland

[Ken Burch]

Do any trains still run on those tracks? Are they connected to any lines anymore?

Reason I'm asking is that I've been wondering if it might be possible to upgrade and repair them so that passenger trains could go through them on the way to and from California. The Amtrak "Coast Starlight" goes over the Cascades south of Eugene and has to wait in Northern California in the middle of the night for freight trains to pass by(it's Union Pacific track there and the freight lines have right-of-way at that hour). This usually means that the Coast Starlight is at least four hours late by the time it reaches the Bay Area(southbound)or Portland(northbound).

Just looking for any info anybody has on this. If this could be perfected, it would save passengers a lot of time, possibly facilitate high-speed trains along the coast, and would enhance the passenger rail system greatly.

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

1. USGS.gov wasn't much help

but they only list tracks that regularly move trains. That doesn't mean the rails aren't in use; there are a couple of short tracks with limited use within Portland. You could always walk them if it's safe and look for signs of use.

If they're not in use, turn them into bikepaths!

[Ken Burch]

2. Thanks for checking.

The one I was referring to went through Ashland, in the southern part of the state(Ashland is the home of the Oregon Shakespearean Festival, for those who don't know).

I think I'll check the Union Pacific website. Perhaps they have a way to find out.

[vinylsolution]

3. This appears to be....

.... part of the Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad (CORP) network.

This is now owned by http://www.railamerica.com/ShippingServices/RailServices/CORP.aspx">Rail America, and connects to Union Pacific main line at Black Butte, CA.

No sign of Rail America operating any passenger services, sadly. But bombard them with e-mails, and see what happens. If the demand is there, they may re-consider.

[Ken Burch]

4. Thank you very much for that information.

n/t.