 In the valley, branch lines would run upstream to the promising mining camp of Gilmore, and downstream to the county seat of Salmon.Soon, McCutcheon was able to interest NP officials in his plan, since a completed G&P could form a basis for a future NP line down the Salmon River.The NP assisted in the initial survey of the G&P route, and later agreed to financially and materially support the G&P's construction.