Steven,

That could have been a point of contention...However, if they simply had CSX deliver cars or pick them up past the point of the second bridge then they would not operate over them. A derail past the second bridge with a CSX lock on it should have done the trick, even if the mountain was still responsible for upkeep.
But again, sadly this was not explored. The track was pulled up (from what my source told me) to the point they have not enough room to turn but a few cars at a time.

I believe it has to be 1000 feet of trackage removed to be insular.

Removing a stick or two of rail doesn't prevent their replacement in short order to get something in or out under the cover of darkness.

I will clear up some operation issues of the Stone Mountain Railroad, if I may.

First of all, the FRA decides if you fall under their jurisdiction or not.

In 1988, the State of Georgia built the connection from the CSX main into the park. This was to enable the New Georgia RR to operate into, around and out of the park and head back to Atlanta.
With a wye and a circle track, no fancy turn moves needed.

Now, this suddenly put a spotlight on the Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad that had, for 26 years, been off the radar. Completely and absolutely not connected to anything.

It was just under 3 years after the New Georgia RR started running into the park that the FRA decided that Stone Mountain needed to be under their jurisdiction.
This, of course, made the Stone Mountain Memorial Association management go ape.
They tried everything to stop this. The FRA kept on.

The coming of the FRA to Stone Mountain was the BEST thing that ever happened. The equipment was deplorable, although the track was not quite as bad. It was maintained to allow the NGRR operations. Train crews spent 14+ hours on duty.

When the FRA got there (January 31, 1991, I remember it well) they inspected the operation, made suggestions for the operation of the railroad and left a copy of CFR 49.
They came back a couple months later and shut the operation down pending the operation's upgrade to comply with Fed rules. (May/June... prime season at Stn Mtn, I may add....)

This meant EVERYTHING.... Track, equipment and operations.

Locomotives and equipment had to comply with all parts (223,229,231,231). The old C&NW cars were grandfathered (with mods) until we acquired the 8 Long Island cars in 1994.
The track was required to meet standards for at least FRA track class 1. (we actually maintained it to class 2 or more).
Hours of service and injury reporting came into effect, as did a crude method of dispatching.
Locomotive engineers DID have to meet FRA guidelines for certification.

In the end, the railroad was brought up to an operational standard that even some class ones might envy.
All of the diesels were upgraded with 26NL airbrake and proper mandated inspections were made as required.
The passenger equipment was brought up to standard or replaced.
The track really was the envy of lots of places.....
We had hours of service that meant no one got ragged out all the time.
We had a system for the operation of multiple trains (which was great on holidays and busy summer days).

The Stone Mountain Railroad became a safe operation.

Jump ahead to 1998.
On January 3, 1998, the revenue operations of Stone Mountain Park was transferred to Silver Dollar City, Inc.
This was a deal where the state of Georgia was trying to do "privatization" of many state assets.
I was one of five people kept of the 15+ we had working on the railroad.
As shop foreman, I was in a meeting 2 or 3 months after the takeover where the SDC managers wanted to know how to skirt the FRA regs.
I told them it should not be done and discussed the benefits.
SDC managers were not interested in the equipment or operation (as evidenced by its current condition).
They were concerned how to run people 16 hours a day at a lower wage and not have to change shifts, etc.
They did not like having to report information to the feds.
The fact is, Silver Dollar City did not want ANY regulatory oversight to deal with.

I honestly think SDC walked into an operation they had no idea how to handle, so they did what they apparently do best (according to others), they used arrogance and ignorance.
Their motto "We are Silver Dollar City, We KNOW how to run a park".
Into the ground perhaps......

They discussed removing a rail or putting up a derail to become insular.
Whatever they had to do, they wanted out of Federal regs.

Finally, the track was pulled a few years ago and I think the Feds have given them a pass for the time being.

It is all so convoluted and such a waste of taxpayer money.

I enjoyed my time there until the SDC invasion.
At least the experience was worthwhile for the 15 full time years I was there.

Maybe someone will rush in and save the operation before its too late.

KW