Hard Times on the Railroad: Eel River Canyon

A boat's-eye view of the state of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad from the Eel River in northern California on 43 miles of river between Dos Rios and Alderpoint in April, 2009. The video does not progress along the river/track miles, but first illustrates some compromised track conditions (at least a sampling that can be seen from a river perspective), then a sampling of the rail and bridge debris in the river, a short set of boating shots, then some scenic shots.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• eel
• river
• california
• northwestern
• pacific
• railroad
• rafting
• north
• coast
• authority
• ncra
• franciscan
• geology

[tedinvegas]

What an incredible video. First I've seen of what is really like along Eel River.

My Thoughts:

* This is 2009, and the technology is WAY beyond what is was when this line was built.

* To restore the line and make sure it is reasonably safe from flooding and slides today is easily accomplished with modern equipment.

* Opening this line would not only provide jobs, but take HUGE amounts of traffic OFF of 101.

* Rail is the most GREEN way to move cargo. Lowest emissions per ton/mile.

[century242]

I have always hoped this line would be re-opened sometime in the future. The parts that can be seen from the hwy depict a far from realistic description of the actual state of the line. I see now there is a tremendous amount of work to be done and even with todays modern equipment and construction practices, it will be astronomical in price. As long as some entity keeps floating the idea of rebuilding the line, I will keep my hopes alive.

Thanks for sharing.

[NcalBiker]

Good video. Some scenes remind me of when I hauled chips out of Covelo, and seeing the train working its way out from Dos Rios. Those bluffs are so unstable that the SP was constantly driving poles in next to the tracks, building rock fences so they could make the trip out. The road bed along the river just East of where Covelo road meets 101 was always treacherous. There were many times that flat cars would rock hard enough to break away and either loose their load over the bank into the river

[revans3914]

I grew up in this area. in nc now,i just hate to see anything have a negative impact on the landscape.it was so beautiful my dad owned mikes tv on main street rohnerville and we went to all these places.I still miss it much looks alot like it did in the 60,s.Great video!

[revans3914]

I grew up in this area. in nc now,i just hate to see anything have a negative impact on the landscape.it was so beautiful my dad owned mikes tv on main street rohnerville and we went to all these places.I still miss it much.Still great video!

[HUTCHtopher]

Can't wait for the day the New NWP storms into Eureka. Congrats to NWP and NCRA for beating Novato's selfish Lawsuit.

[crazy7997]

Up until my dad was ten or so he lived in area known as eel rock back in the 40's. He seen the steamers go and one of the first diesle to go up that line. And he actually road the passanger service on that line. Then my uncle would be one of the guys in the caboose that went up and down that line. If any old timers remember seeing a mop on the back of a coboose. That was his that he road in.

[crazy7997]

Looks like it hasn't been used in a hundred years. But to my knowledge the last train went through around ten years ago?

[Boss302fan]

@Engineer245 LOL. What a crock. Of course there is no law on the books like this. Why spout off something that is complete BS?

[Engineer245]

The interesting thing about owning and operating a small railroad is that the government still has a law on the books that each owner operator gets a free ceck for $500,000 per year from the government to do it. It is an old law but this is how many of the small operators stay in business. Most of the owner operator that are still in business are tour types so there operating cost is a little lower. There customer pay imeadiately so they don't have to wait months and months to get paid!

[HUTCHtopher]

Hech Island mountain would be a good place for a quarry