that doesn't sound like an awful lot for two locomotives and logistics...?

jopsen · on July 10, 2019

Probably the locomotives had to be scrapped regardless.

But putting down the rail sounds expensive, could it be that this was cheaper back then?

bluGill · on July 10, 2019

Putting down rail would have been cheap. Since it was one time use they could take a lot of shortcuts - who cares if the next frost will twist the rails when you will be done before the next frost.

jl6 · on July 10, 2019

Probably the track they laid would have needed to meet only the most basic requirements, with minimal consideration of reliability, safety, longevity, etc.