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Commissioners and contractors outline track work as Story County allocates up to $850,000
Summary
Battle Born Rail reported near-complete maintenance work and requested track improvement funding; Story County provided up to $850,000 from its veil tax to support projects including work at the Overman pit and ballast/drainage.
Battle Born Rail briefed the Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the VNT Railway on ongoing maintenance activities and inspectors from state agencies reported the track meets minimum regulatory standards; commissioners said Story County has approved an allocation of up to $850,000 from the county's veil (rail) fund for track improvement projects.
Chris of Battle Born Rail told commissioners, "We've been pretty busy on the tracks. We got a list that we submitted to you guys a few months ago. We got 90% of it completed." He described remaining light maintenance, requests to add ballast and the need to address the Overman pit, where earlier work has required repeated maintenance.
Jennifer McCain, Story County comptroller, summarized budget changes that affect capital work and stated the county's contribution: she noted added capital outlay of $200,000 to be funded by Story County veil tax, bringing total capital outlay to $925,000 in the FY2026 budget package. Later in the meeting Leah reported requesting a Story County allocation to the commission "and they gave me the money," referring to the request for an amount not to exceed $850,000 to pay for specified track improvements.
Commissioners discussed next steps: contracting for engineering and design (Wood Rogers was mentioned) and coordinating construction timing with the operating season. Commissioners asked staff to return with a design contract and a sequencing plan; staff identified that some work likely cannot be completed during winter weather and that final scheduling and scope will require engineers' input.
The commission noted inspections by the Nevada Public Utilities Commission and Federal Railroad Administration representatives had found the line in compliance with regulatory minimums, and members said they plan to use the new county allocation to address drainage, ballast and the Overman pit design issues.
