Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Thu Apr 28, 2022 6:37 am
Messrs. Daybeers and Moore, Perhaps when your "dream" becomes reality, and you have brought pressure to bear to have Woodrow become a stop, perhaps you will choose to hike "up The Hill" to SKS; maybe my cremated remains can join you!!!
I do hope to meet you in person before then.
NaugyRR wrote: ↑Thu Apr 28, 2022 10:28 am
That said, as a local who's lived in Sharon almost his entire life (and Lakeville for a bit) and graduated from Housy in Falls Village, I don't see the passenger potential much on this side of the state line. New Milford maybe, and potentially Kent, but the other towns really don't have much of a walk-able town center. Canaan's got a little bit going for it, but certainly not to the same degree as the other two.
I've previously mentioned in the Housatonic thread that I think the only viable passenger operations would be day trips to Kent and/or weekend trips to Barrington/Lee/Lenox/Stockbridge sponsored by the Red Lion. All under the very unlikely circumstance the track gets upgraded.
I agree none of the towns are overly walkable, at least until you get to perhaps Great Barrington or points north, I think you underestimate the number of folks who would prefer to keep a car at their home in Berkshires or Litchfield County and go to the city during the week. Wassaic is a good evidence for this (and I suspect if they ever relayed the tracks further north again, they'd pick up more business).
I certainly don't see daily trips up the Housy, but I think well planned weekend trips (including a Saturday round trip with a focus of getting folks INTO the city) would have merit and ultimately help remove cars from Rte 7 and Rte 22.
If Vermont finds it worthwhile to fund the Ethan Allan and Vermonter, I suspect Connecticut would find it even more worthwhile, if it were done right.
If ever move back to Falls Village, or retire in time, perhaps I'll make it a project of mine.
Check out
QuiCR, Quick, Crowdsourced Responses for businesses.