First of all, do not jump all over Tippy for being an optimist. I have sepnt many years of my life in the same boat that he is in, using your heart to grasp onto any minute chance of hope.
Now, there are causes for optimisim. New York state is taking a stand against the abandonment of any rail lines. They want every avaliable line left in to stimulate business growth in the area. If the B&P refuses to upgrade the line, There is an investor group that has been woking under the radar for a few years now, albeit the process is taking a while, and they have been in contact with the state. Also, the B&P has not pursued their petition to abandone because if something should happen to the trackage rights then they will need their line back, I have heard from a few of their employees on how abandoning the line from Machias to Silver Springs has already cause them more than a few headaches. With all of this, I can see the line coming back to life someday, whether it being the WNYP, or B7P or a new shortline such as the ones that operate the Erie south of Buffalo (Buffalo Souther, NY&LE). Have faith, the state wants the line is just as bad as the rest of us do.