From: R. Mitchel Beauchamp [mailto:mitch@psbs.com]
Sent: Friday, November 21, 2003 5:45 PM
Subject: Railroad Activity in Carrizo Gorge

  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