Due to the success of the nuclear powered cab forwards in the Cascade Tunnel on the old Great Northern Railway, the North Coast Railroad Authority on behalf of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad has authorized funding for a feasibility study for a new tunnel under Ridge Hill, south of Willits Ca., which will be equipped with 3000 volt direct current electrification.

The new tunnel will have a ruling grade of -.25% southbound. The south portal will be in the vicinity of Laughlin (Darrel Spur) Ca. with the north portal near the Taco Bell at the south end of Willits. In light of the fact that the predominant traffic on the railroad is loads southbound, we expect a net gain with regard to power used and power returned to the power grid. The section between Willits and Tiburon will be electrified not only for freight traffic, but will also accommodate a future transit corridor. Permanent catenary (elecrification) will be installed from Tiburon to Laughlin (Darrel Spur). A temporary catenary system will be installed on the Ridge Hill line while tunnel construction is underway. Upon completion of the tunnel, the Ridge Hill Line will be abandoned and converted to a
self-interpretive nature trail.

Electricity to operate this railroad will be obtained from one of the reactors from a wrecked nuclear powered cab forward, which were originally salvaged from some retired submarines that were procured from a couple of retired Chief Petty Officers, who our Chief Mechanical Officer met in a bar in Bremerton, WA. We also have on hand some "slightly used" parts from Three Mile Island, which were procured from a scrap dealer acquaintance of our CMO in North Richmond, CA. The initial power will be 60kv 3 phase @ 60 hz, reduced to 3000 volts DC, with on-line substations ala MILW (Milwaukee Road). This way regenerative braking will be available to help power northbound trains, and help power the railroads fleet of San Francisco Bay ferry boats.

It is also planned to convert the NWP ferry Eureka, which is currently located at the San Francisco Maritime Museum, to nuclear power, using another of the salvaged submarine reactors, and use her for the primary ferry service, with the smaller boats converted to straight electric power, using the
railroad standard 3000 volt DC power. It was found that one of the nuclear submarines procured in Bremerton was in such good condition that she will be restored to service and used as a ferry on stormy days, at it is well known that a submerged submarine rides much better during heavy sea conditions than does a surface ship of the same size. On calm days, this vessel will be used for underwater tours of the nuclear dump site near the Farallon Islands and could be used to search for
and salvage shipwrecks, which could return considerable profit to the company. Due to the submarine arriving in such good, usable condition, the Board of Directors has arranged for half a carload of Jack Daniel's finest to be shipped to a warehouse at an undisclosed address in Port Orchard, WA. If another submarine shows up that is as good as the last one, the board voted to
make it a full carload.

The only problem we find right now is the weight of the extension cords that power the electric ferry Boats dragging along the bottom of the Bay disrupting marine life as we know it. Another potential problem is the fact that the Bay waters will have to be used as the electrical ground. This probably will result in a lot of fish swimming upside down and developmentally disabled sharks. We do not consider the disabled sharks to be a problem in light of the "Aid to Disabled Americans" act. The way the ADA act is written, since it known to apply to certain attorneys, we have no doubt whatsoever that it will apply to sharks and other marine life forms, as well. Although there will be some environmental problems, we at the NWP feel that with the new GOP House, Senate and President, anything is possible! We feel that no matter how badly an Environmental Impact Report is written, "WE CAN HANDLE IT!"

ALCO PAs and PBs (ABA sets) equipped for "HEP" (Head End Power), electric and diesel power (ala FL9s), will be used on the new "Eureka Daylight". These PA and PB units are rebuilt from the units salvaged from the Lake Berryessa "Monticello Dam" construction railroad, as reported
previously. We are also looking for ex MILW or South Shore "Little Joes" with low mileage. Ex MILW Box Cabs are acceptable for use as helpers if any are found to be available at a reasonable price.

Written by:
P. J. "Pap" Schmerer and
J. R. "Easy" Ley
Willits, CA, August 1996
Copyright 1996 J. R. Ley & P. J. Schmerer