SP_RedElectric Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> shortline sammie Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Steve...to answer your question...the only part
> of
> > the AERC that is owned (rather than leased) is
> the
> > former BN segment...so far as I know the OPR is
> > the largest PRIVATELY OWNED (not leased, part of
> a
> > "shortline family", publicly owned or a side
> > operation in conjunction with an industrial
> > operation) shortline in the state of Oregon.
>
> Sam - I know this is really, REALLY
> nitpicking...but wasn't the ROW for the OPR (the
> East Portland-Milwaukie, ex-PTC) purchased by
> Metro, with a permanent easement given back to
> OPR?
>
> This arrangement, of course, is no different than
> the P&W's Astoria, United Railways (Cornelius
> Pass), Forest Grove, or Oregon Electric (Tigard to
> Quinaby) where the underlying ROW is owned by ODOT
> but the railroad atop the right-of-way is owned by
> P&W. (And to keep things in order, the
> Tigard-Beaverton stretch of the former Tillamook
> District is now owned by TriMet, and P&W simply
> has rights over this track - it's not even a
> "lease" anymore.)
>
> The P&W from Mahan to Banks is also owned by the
> POTB and leased by P&W.


You are correct...the abandoned portion of the former Portland Traction from Milwaukie to Boring, which is now occupied by the Springwater Trail, was "railbanked" meaning that interim trail use is allowed until such time that there becomes a sufficient commercial need for common carrier service over the right of way.

As successor to the common carrier rights (and obligations) of the Portland Traction Company, the East Portland Traction Co. (1991-1997) and successor Oregon Pacific (1991-present), the OPR would have first right of refusal to construct or operate the reconstructed trackage OR obtain STB authority to create another shortline to connect with the OPR at Milwaukie, similar to what the POTB does with the P&W at Banks.

I'd love for this to happen someday...I can just hear the nimbys and yuppies screaming "foul".

Sammie