Civic improvement

Success! The railroad moved the ugly train cars!

You might remember my recent posting about three derelict railroad cars that were parked right in the sightline at a major intersection here in Redding, CA. Motorists stopped at the "T" intersection at Buenaventura Boulevard and Highway 273 got a view of the rusty, graffiiti-covered cars rather than the snow-capped mountains in the distance.

Not long after the post appeared, I got an e-mail from Greg Clark, assistant to the city manager. The city wanted to pursue the matter, and wanted to use the photo from my blog (shot by my wife Kelly) in a letter to Union Pacific.

A few days ago, I noticed the railroad had moved the cars about forty yards down the siding, away from the intersection and behind a screen of trees. Hurray!

I heard from Clark today. He said that City Manager Kurt Starman did indeed send a letter to the railroad on June 1, asking them to move the cars. Clark didn't know of any return communication, but the relocated cars speak volumes.

Thanks to city and railroad officials for listening to a cranky blogger.