Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Highway 62 bypass — just get it done ... Cooking up some fun ... After six years, wilderness trail is open ... Our View: Highway 62 bypass — just get it done ... Cooking up some fun ... After six years, wilderness trail is open ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Rogue Valley rail lines not likely to carry people or oil Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 18, 2014 at 12:01 AM Posted Dec. 18, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News When the trains start running through Ashland again, will there be oil trains or passengers? — Dave H., Ashland Well, Dave, we have a very short answer for you, followed by some details. Bob Melbo, the state rail planner at the Oregon Department of Transportation Rail and Public Transit Division sums it all up: No. The rail line that runs through the Rogue Valley and over the Siskiyous is capable of handling traditional freight, but not much beyond that. Things weren't always so. Rail moved people in and out of the Rogue Valley prior to advent of the automobile. The Siskiyou Line, built in the 1870s and 1880s — when earth was moved by horse-drawn scrapers and tunnels were dug by hand labor, was the only north/south rail line between California and the Pacific Northwest, Melbo said. "The lack of good earth-moving technology made for steep grades and lots of curved track, resulting in high operating costs," he said. "That 19th century alignment is little changed today and is not conducive to handling 21st century freight trains moving up and down Union Pacific’s Cascade line today nor passenger trains that could offer some semblance of competitiveness with automobile travel." In the early 20th century, those grades and curves led to a significant cutback in rail traffic, once a better option became available. In September of 1926, Southern Pacific Railroad opened its new Cascade line via Klamath Falls, Chemult and Oakridge, which was shorter than the Siskiyou route and had more favorable grades and less curvature. The Cascade line became the main artery between California and the north, relegating the Siskiyou to branch line status serving, primarily, forest products and agriculture manufacturers and producers. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.   MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 18, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501