As an FYI steve, my post wasn't aimed directly at you, per se, but rather just in general, as there are those people who want to have any adn all railroad lines reactived at ALL COSTS, as long as they see trains again in a place that there once was. It doesn't matter who gets hurt, who's feet get stepped on, how much money it will loose, the prospect of no business, etc, as long as trains move.
Trainlawyer in the past has been accused of being a NIMBY because he has presented facts in the case, and real problems that exist with the way that the M and E and or Union County have caused, and some view that as being a NIMBY and against the railroad and the re-opening of it.
Again, as I stated in my other post, Im all for it, Im for every railroad reopening that possibly can, that means more jobs and opportunites for me, my fellow railroaders, adn the general public as a whole, as new industries and business can open up, meaning more jobs, trucks taken off the roadways, etc. But there are things that need to be done, it needs to be shown that the line is going to be viable for the spending of taxpayers dollars (in this case with the SIRR and RVRR) and things need to be done a certain way. Im consistant in this belief, as you Steve, and im sure others do too, that Im against the re-activation of the Lower boonton Line by Jimmy Wilson, because I want to see how he can justify spending the millions in rebuilding and operating costs it would take to provide service again between Montclair and West End.
Even though many of the NIMBY claims in Union County are baseless and rediculous, they do have a few good points, and Union County flat out lied to these communities, and the M and E didn't help. Im sure the M and E has very good plans for these lines, and Im sure they had to show those people in the state who decide to give up the money for rehab these plans to show that they are viable and that its a worth while investment, but even so, they still have to follow the rules and do things.
But simply presenting these facts and shortcomings doesn't mean that a person is against the railroad, or against the reactivation, but rather a person who has a genuine interest in the operation of the railroad, and as I stated above, an interest in the "other stuff", and looks at more than just the moving of a boxcar by an engine.
On the RR, "believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see"
John, aka "JTGSHU" passed away on August 26, 2013. We honor his memory and his devotion to railroading at railroad.net.
but that the cases don't proceed at a rapid pace. Any further investment in the restoration project would be at risk if the the towns were to ultimately prevail.