FOR SALE - One Entire Railroad

FOR SALE - One Entire Railroad

Well kids, wasn't easy but I have learned my lesson. Never say NO to Lane County Officials!

We are selling our railroad to cover money for taxes, permits and penalties the county says we owe them which includes replacing our house on the same footprint with new wood, windows and doors without a permit.

We have almost 14,000 feet of 12 pound rail with 8 switches and includes all the spikes, ties, splicebars and bolts. The steam engine is not mine to sell and I will consider selling rolling stock only after the track is sold.

I hope to sell the railroad as a package and would be happy to talk with any serious dreamer.

Please contact me only if you fit that description.

Railroad Ray

Email: Ray Robinson - kmr3@pioneer.net

In the mid nineties, in a cow paddock in Deadwood Oregon a dream began to be realized.

What started as Ray and Kathleen Robinson's dream grew and developed a community of over a 100 volunteers that worked together to create something very special.

These two pictures were taken from about the same place but about twelve years apart. Some of the many trees planted show the improvement to the environment this project caused.

The building of M&LKRR was a project that not only created a community, it enhanced the environmental conditions in ways that simply wouldn't have happened without this toy train.

Through out it's construction M&LKRR attracted more and more wide spread interest including media organizations such as Oregon Public Broadcasting who featured this remarkable project on their Oregon Field Guide program in May and June of 2004.

A great deal of effort resulted in a proud display as the traditional "Golden Spike" was hammered in to signify the completion of the railroad.

The reward for this effort of so many should have been the ability to share this special place they had created.

The Meadows and Lake Kathleen RailRoad was never intended to be a commercial operation. It was one man's hobby that grew to include others that he was willing to share by invitation with others who had similar values.

This toy train brought out the best in many people but unfortunately it also brought out the worst in others.

Lane County didn't see a project that created a community, Lane County didn't see a project that improved the environmental conditions of what had been an over used and abused farming property turned rubbish dump. Lane County didn't see the community value this toy train had created, they only saw money.

Lane County didn't care about any intent of any laws, they saw an entitlement to money and were determined to get it no matter what. Lane County will get money, not the money for the railroad they wanted they will get other monies they have decided to pursue.

The tracks that carried this toy train will begin to be removed soon and evidence of their existence will fade as will the memories of those who had the privilege of enjoying this special place and experience.

It's easy to blame many people for the sad situation that will see the train removed but I believe the true blame belongs in Salem and Eugene.

With the same quality of spirit and commitment that built the M&LKRR in either Salem of Eugene, the train that brought so much happiness to so many would survive for a few years but that spirit wasn't where it was needed.

Many of those who had the ability to save this train face elections next year, I only hope that those with the real say remember this incident and vote accordingly.