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In 1993, the GAO did a survey on the feasability of restoring rail service to Promontory Point UT (Golden Spike NHS). They said it would need $40M budget and take about 5 years. Well, it's been 8 and nothing much has been done. It's all out there, we just need to collect it and put it together, but I think we could do it in less than 5 years, and for less money. And, it could be self-supportive as a historic tourist oriented steam train. What do you think? Is restoring a national historic treasure worth a little sweat equity?
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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So it would cost $40 million for the physical upgrade, but where would the $40 million come from? Historic preservation money or national park money? Transportation funds? Has anyone done a marketing study to see if that expense could be justified? Has anyone prepared a business plan for operation of a train? Yea, it would be worth it for historical/educational value, but a lot of ground work needs to be laid before a 5 year project can even get started.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
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Union Pacific already has tracks to Promontory Point, and Amtrak trains 5 & 6 go through there every day, but don't stop. Don't think that UP will let you run a tourist train on their tracks, though. There was talk a few years ago about rebuilding the line over Promontory Summit, where the Golden Spike was driven, but the level of the Great Salt Lake dropped, and those plans were also dropped.
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