Martell - A battle is brewing over the future of the historic Amador railway in the Martell area after property owner Sierra Pacific Industries hired a salvage company to begin removing track last week. A representative of Iron Horse Preservation Society, the Nevada-based company hired for track removal, told TSPN that tracks are being cleared on SPI property from the Ridge Road/Highway 88 intersection through Martell in order to prepare for the eventual construction of a new business park. This includes the future demolition of the old depot building approximately 100 yards east of the railroad crossing on Highway 49 near Meek’s Hardware. According to Mike Preston, Corporate Administrator and lead negotiator for the Amador County Historic Railroad Foundation, his group has made clear to SPI that they have a strong interest in acquiring the line, rebuilding it and opening it for free to be used for various county purposes. He said this idea is supported by a number of businesses adjacent to the track, including Meek’s, Lowe’s and Safeway. He said that despite previous discussions with SPI and community support, “they’ve gone ahead and ripped the track up anyway.” Larry Bowler, President and Co-founder of the Recreational Railroad Coalition, Inc., said his group is also interested in the future of the rail line. They currently lease the railway between the Ridge Road junction and Ione from SPI for $1 a year in order to operate hand cranked rail carts known as speeders. “We would have liked to preserve the entire railroad, but we can’t complain about SPI. The mile and a half in question is their private property,” said Bowler. Nevertheless, Preston feels it is in the best interest of all parties to work together. “I have offered to negotiate a tax break with SPI, but that and other options are still on the table,” he said. The historical value of the old railway is officially recognized by the State of California and the Office of Historic Preservation. It is the only mountain railroad line in the United States that is all contained within one county. It stretches 11 miles from Martell to Ione and includes 25 bridges. The Amador County Historic Railroad Foundation is a non-profit with approximately 150 members. Its goal is the long-term preservation of Amador railways. The Recreational Railroad Coalition, Inc. is a Mutual Benefit Corporation organized to preserve America’s historic railroad corridors. Sierra Pacific Industries did not return comment by the time this story was published. No timeframe has been released as to when the rail removal will be completed or the business park will be constructed. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.