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Re: Good Bye Fillmore & Western lease cancels 12/1/13
Author: shoofly
Date: 05-23-2013 - 02:50
*shaking my head at ignorance
Really helps to get perspective especially about the NWP...did you not hear that the NWP won hardcore against special interest environmentalists. Judge dismissed the entire afair citing federal law trumps state law. SMART has been full swing into restoring the southern portion with concrete ties and rebuilt roadbed. The right of way up there is quickly becoming better then it ever has. No stopping the momentum up there. They are defintely going to be back in Willits in a few years!
The Coast Line has been innundated with BNSF and UP trains. BNSF trains have been a regular sight on Cuesta even before the Tehachawreck the other day. Sluffed cars blocking sidings have been moved. Some great railfanning today including a deadhead BNSF officer special...very cool to see some through traffic with some respectable trains again.
SMVRR is doing a great business. I heard from Rob that they are in the black and expanding business (and possibly back into downtown Santa Maria should opportunities arise) even in recession conditions. Things are looking way up for them. Doesn't look like they have a lot of room for much else to be stored there, but who knows.
Before anyone starts jumping the gun here, where is the evidence that VCTC is going to mothball the Santa Paula Branch Line other then some obscure motion to terminate the Fillmore and Western's lease. According to a report on the May 10th meeting "Commissioner Steve Bennett assured the railway that the commission was not considering abandoning it." I get every sense that the VCTC is looking at renegotiating with F&W and possibly other parties to expand service into freight. They're looking into what needs to be done long term and what they can do to make it an asset not a liability. Of course there are some short sighted beaurocrats that can't get beyond "All old rail lines must be turned into trails" but they're idiots that are out numbered. Russell B. Sperry wrote on behalf the railroad and sited his part in the county's original purchase of the route from a cash strapped SP back in 1990. You can read his letter here: [scrvrhs.com]
Before everyone cries "the sky is falling" because of one bad card. It seems big, but in terms of business, this usually indicates restructuring. One can always get a new lease with different terms. It's important to emphasize NO ONE HAS MADE A MOTION TO WALK AWAY FROM THE SPBL! NOT ONE MOTION HAS BEEN MADE TO MOTHBALL IT AND TURN IT INTO A TRAIL! If you want to help make sure that isn't muttered on anyone's lips down there, then write the VCTC and tell them why the SPBL is important to you and your vacation plans. The more the better!
I have a feeling that if the VCTC did something that was not in favor of Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru, there would be a grassroots effort to rid itself of incompetent politicians. They need to fear the people they serve...their jobs depend on it!
Really helps to get perspective especially about the NWP...did you not hear that the NWP won hardcore against special interest environmentalists. Judge dismissed the entire afair citing federal law trumps state law. SMART has been full swing into restoring the southern portion with concrete ties and rebuilt roadbed. The right of way up there is quickly becoming better then it ever has. No stopping the momentum up there. They are defintely going to be back in Willits in a few years!
The Coast Line has been innundated with BNSF and UP trains. BNSF trains have been a regular sight on Cuesta even before the Tehachawreck the other day. Sluffed cars blocking sidings have been moved. Some great railfanning today including a deadhead BNSF officer special...very cool to see some through traffic with some respectable trains again.
SMVRR is doing a great business. I heard from Rob that they are in the black and expanding business (and possibly back into downtown Santa Maria should opportunities arise) even in recession conditions. Things are looking way up for them. Doesn't look like they have a lot of room for much else to be stored there, but who knows.
Before anyone starts jumping the gun here, where is the evidence that VCTC is going to mothball the Santa Paula Branch Line other then some obscure motion to terminate the Fillmore and Western's lease. According to a report on the May 10th meeting "Commissioner Steve Bennett assured the railway that the commission was not considering abandoning it." I get every sense that the VCTC is looking at renegotiating with F&W and possibly other parties to expand service into freight. They're looking into what needs to be done long term and what they can do to make it an asset not a liability. Of course there are some short sighted beaurocrats that can't get beyond "All old rail lines must be turned into trails" but they're idiots that are out numbered. Russell B. Sperry wrote on behalf the railroad and sited his part in the county's original purchase of the route from a cash strapped SP back in 1990. You can read his letter here: [scrvrhs.com]
Before everyone cries "the sky is falling" because of one bad card. It seems big, but in terms of business, this usually indicates restructuring. One can always get a new lease with different terms. It's important to emphasize NO ONE HAS MADE A MOTION TO WALK AWAY FROM THE SPBL! NOT ONE MOTION HAS BEEN MADE TO MOTHBALL IT AND TURN IT INTO A TRAIL! If you want to help make sure that isn't muttered on anyone's lips down there, then write the VCTC and tell them why the SPBL is important to you and your vacation plans. The more the better!
I have a feeling that if the VCTC did something that was not in favor of Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru, there would be a grassroots effort to rid itself of incompetent politicians. They need to fear the people they serve...their jobs depend on it!
