More Tuesday morning rail news:
— Connecticut is expected to approve $300 million in funding for new coaches for three commuter rail lines at a Wednesday meeting. The Waterbury Republican-American reports that the State Bond Commission will consider financing for passenger cars for the Shore Line East and CTrail Hartford Line, as well as Metro-North’s Danbury and Waterbury Branches. The funds would pay for 72 new cars. The commission will meet in a 1 p.m. teleconference.
— Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has vetoed a tax on fuel for railroad locomotives that would have generated money for grade-crossing separation projects. The Ogden Standard-Examiner reports that the bill would have removed the current exemption on tax for locomotive fuel and generated an estimated $3.7 million per year. Hebert’s veto message said the proposal “is contrary to principles of sound tax policy.”
— The trustee overseeing the bankruptcy of the Saratoga & North Creek Railway is seeking a new operator who would purchase the New York short line. Trustee William Brandt Jr. told the Albany Times-Union he would like to see if a sale is feasible, news welcomed in one county where the 98-mile railroad operated. Officials in Essex County would like to see the railroad continue to operate, while those in Warren County are considering abandonment of the 40 miles they own. The railroad is part of the bankruptcy proceedings in Denver for the San Luis & Rio Grande and other Iowa Pacific Holdings properties [see “Additional Iowa Pacific railroads placed into receivership,” Trains News Wire, Oct. 23, 2019].
Between CP rail and C&N and CSX railroads I,m sure the Saratoga rail line could work to one of these railroads advantage especially with CSX and C&N who merged routes from Canada to Syracuse and with CP Rail taking over Central Maine & Quebec Railroad , CP could use this route from Quebec to run to the lower 48 thru Syracuse or Rockchester and Beyond ! Oh and screw Warren how many more walking trail could you have , plus you cant park anywhere with out being ticketed and or towed , yea WELCOME TO Warren County, NOT.
I rode the S&NCR a few years ago. It was delightful. Good food, too. Sad that it ended.
While I agree that taxing a rail fuel is somewhat regressive, a little known fact is that ~.45 of every fare paid on Brightline (Virgin) when it is completed to Orlando will go towards the extension of Osceola Parkway.
It was part of the complex horse trading agreement Brightline signed with the Beachline Tollway to get ROW access from Cocoa to the Orlando Airport.
So there are cases where a railroad is subsidizing a highway.
As for the Saratoga & North Creek, I thought the State of New York was going to seize the ROW not owned by a municipality?
Sand traffic for Japan.
The San Luis and Rio Grande once had a coordinated service with the Cumbres and Toltec. You could pick it up in Walsenburg, ride to Antonito and spend the night, then ride the C&T to Chama and spend the night. Reverse to get out. But, no more. And perhaps never again.
I often wonder if I could have got my old room at Foster’s.
The above comments are generic in nature and do not form the basis for an attorney/client relationship. They do not constitute legal advice. I ain’t nobody’s attorney no more. I’s retarded.
The Nevada guv is correct, you don’t tax the RR to benefit vehicle drivers. The cost/benefit ratio is upside down.
I think town should use the property tax revenue they get from the railroads for their grade separation projects. Otherwise shut up and stop complaining.
Railroads buy red diesel, “agricultural diesel” theyve never been taxed on it. Thats a Fed thing, Thats why the GuvNuh had to veto it.
The Utah governor is partially correct in that it’s not a sound tax policy for States to tax railroad fuel purchases, however, it would make sense for the Federal government to tax rail fuel purchases and put that money into a Rail infrastructure fund set up like the Highway Trust Fund.