by Bigt
The OBPA is run by a board. Every member is approved and appointed by the Governor of the State.
When their individual terms expire they must once again go through a confirmation. Until we get a
Governor who is a supporter of the rail industry, and, is therefore ready to exert his influence, I doubt
we will ever see any movement in the form of the OBPA making major improvements in the current
rail transportation network in the North Country. In the past few years they have had to rely on outside
funding sources to make improvements to even be able to keep trains moving on the line. True, that
was before Vermont Rail became involved. It is difficult to say where they may or may not play into the
overall picture of the future of the Ogdensburg to Norwood line. Regardless of other opinions, there is
certainly potential for the Port of Ogdensburg and future rail traffic that would result.
As for the St. Lawrence Sub. and the State of New York. Once again, I view part of the problem with the
fact that we have not had a Governor or Legislature in my memory that was even remotely interested in rail transportation.
That is unless it involved high speed rail to / for the great "promised land" of New York City that all our
Governors seem to worship. Add to the fact that in this State many rail transportation issues fall under the
auspices of the State Department of Transportation. Yes, the same people who go about as authorities
in all matters involving highways - State and Local - have a great say in the rail policy of this State. During
the Ice Storm of 1998, the State agency that I work for, and, the government leaders of St. Lawrence
County's various emergency departments, learned all too well what it was like to work with the leaders of the
State DOT when is came to moving trains through the North Country. Yes, some of the "hold-ups" were because
of Federal regulations, but, most were the doing of NYSDOT. When, days after the storm had hit, they wanted
to move their "rescue train" through the North Country bringing needed supplies. Many hoops had to be jumped
through to provide the manpower and resources that NYSDOT required for crossing and signal safety. As an
example, with every fire and rescue department in the County activated since the storm began, with countless
numbers of members of these departments available to protect all the unlit crossings - with proper turnout gear
and "lighted" fire trucks and rescues - that was deemed not allowed by the NYSDOT official on the train. His
determination was that every crossing had to be protected by an uniformed police officer - Trooper, Deputy or
village Patrolman. He even suggest that all bridges would be patrolled by uniformed officers before "his" train
would / could proceed. Needless to say, the second "wish" did not come true. I might add that up to the day this train came
through, the railroad was moving their own trains - North and South - with their own crews, stopping at all
crossings and flagging same with their own crewman. There was no requirement then for an uniformed police
officer.....not until NYSDOT got involved. An example of a NYSDOT "power".
If and when the State Government ever becomes really dedicated to rail transportation, I believe that is when we will see a
much needed change in the government attitude toward the railroad industry in New York State.
It probably will not mean NYS as an owner, but, many of the detriments to rail and rail associated industry / business will have
a much better chance of being removed. As one of the earlier posts stated, this line was inspected by a number of
potential buyers, but, none of them were willing to pay the ridiculous price that CSX wanted. Personally, I would like to
see the same thing happen again. Even with this economy I think there would be surprising interest shown.
When their individual terms expire they must once again go through a confirmation. Until we get a
Governor who is a supporter of the rail industry, and, is therefore ready to exert his influence, I doubt
we will ever see any movement in the form of the OBPA making major improvements in the current
rail transportation network in the North Country. In the past few years they have had to rely on outside
funding sources to make improvements to even be able to keep trains moving on the line. True, that
was before Vermont Rail became involved. It is difficult to say where they may or may not play into the
overall picture of the future of the Ogdensburg to Norwood line. Regardless of other opinions, there is
certainly potential for the Port of Ogdensburg and future rail traffic that would result.
As for the St. Lawrence Sub. and the State of New York. Once again, I view part of the problem with the
fact that we have not had a Governor or Legislature in my memory that was even remotely interested in rail transportation.
That is unless it involved high speed rail to / for the great "promised land" of New York City that all our
Governors seem to worship. Add to the fact that in this State many rail transportation issues fall under the
auspices of the State Department of Transportation. Yes, the same people who go about as authorities
in all matters involving highways - State and Local - have a great say in the rail policy of this State. During
the Ice Storm of 1998, the State agency that I work for, and, the government leaders of St. Lawrence
County's various emergency departments, learned all too well what it was like to work with the leaders of the
State DOT when is came to moving trains through the North Country. Yes, some of the "hold-ups" were because
of Federal regulations, but, most were the doing of NYSDOT. When, days after the storm had hit, they wanted
to move their "rescue train" through the North Country bringing needed supplies. Many hoops had to be jumped
through to provide the manpower and resources that NYSDOT required for crossing and signal safety. As an
example, with every fire and rescue department in the County activated since the storm began, with countless
numbers of members of these departments available to protect all the unlit crossings - with proper turnout gear
and "lighted" fire trucks and rescues - that was deemed not allowed by the NYSDOT official on the train. His
determination was that every crossing had to be protected by an uniformed police officer - Trooper, Deputy or
village Patrolman. He even suggest that all bridges would be patrolled by uniformed officers before "his" train
would / could proceed. Needless to say, the second "wish" did not come true. I might add that up to the day this train came
through, the railroad was moving their own trains - North and South - with their own crews, stopping at all
crossings and flagging same with their own crewman. There was no requirement then for an uniformed police
officer.....not until NYSDOT got involved. An example of a NYSDOT "power".
If and when the State Government ever becomes really dedicated to rail transportation, I believe that is when we will see a
much needed change in the government attitude toward the railroad industry in New York State.
It probably will not mean NYS as an owner, but, many of the detriments to rail and rail associated industry / business will have
a much better chance of being removed. As one of the earlier posts stated, this line was inspected by a number of
potential buyers, but, none of them were willing to pay the ridiculous price that CSX wanted. Personally, I would like to
see the same thing happen again. Even with this economy I think there would be surprising interest shown.
