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Carrizo Gorge Railway Reopening to Through-Traffic
To: Cheryl Reiff
From: R. Mitchel Beauchamp
Subject: Railroad Activity in Carrizo Gorge
Cheryl,
I am the General Manager of the Mexican portion of the San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway. We have been working for the past year on the US portion of the line in the Carrizo Gorge to clear tunnel blockages due to fires. We will have the last tunnel cleared by the end of November. We anticipate having work trains passing through the Gorge at any time of the day or night and by next spring, we will have freight train at the rate of four a day in both directions. The rail line in the Gorge has been out of service for the past 20 years and many outdoor-oriented persons have become accustomed to the Gorge being accessible along the railroad since it lies within the State Park. The right of way, however, is not park land and has been posted against trespass but the number of persons hiking into the Gorge now presents a hazard.
I would ask that you place a notice in your Chapter newsletter concerning the renewed rail freight traffic on the line. Our Railroad Police will soon start citing trespassers and we will prosecute criminally and civilly, anyone encountered along the right of way who is there without authorization. The 16 tunnels in the Gorge do not have escape pockets and anyone in the tunnel when a train passes places themselves at great risk.
Regards,
R. Mitchel Beauchamp
619-477-5333
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