Railroad service to return to Prescott?

[Smjh1979]

http://dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID= ... leID=84784

[illinoistrains]

i wonder how they would do that? It would make the most sense to run it along the old Phoenix Sub and connect it to the current Phoenix sub. at Skull Valley.

[Smjh1979]

I wouldn't know... I don't think the old ROW near Skull Valley is able to be re-obtained, since part of it is used as a road now. Unless they build a completely new ROW, and use part of the ROW to go into Prescott. They won't be able to go through the old route completely though, since there has been too much development. Still doesn't mean they can't go in newer areas though.

Either that, or build a new spur line near the Tucker area, and run that into Prescott, and have that join up with the old ROW, or either bring back the old ROW at Paulden and bring that back into service.

I'm sure there are tons of possibilities to bring it back, I just don't know how they could do it.

[gedunk]

About 10 years ago some politician in Taft started spouting off the idea to have the town refurbish the existing (but long dormant) line into Taft. A lot of print ink went into it, local business voiced it's support, etc. No new ROW acquisition was needed.

Then the bids for the work came in, with the low ball being $700,000 per mile, and that was if no trestles had to be rebuilt. Just the regrading, new ties and rails, and grade crossing improvements.

The line got yanked.

I wish Prescott luck!