Well,
I went down to the Dundee to visit today, and saw James himself, and I can say this, the Dundee is doing fine itself. I was told several things today that are happening, but I never did once ask if I could publicize the info I was given, so sorry folks, can't tell you what I know... (or atleast not yet..., I'll ask Monday if I can release the info)...
I will say this though, keep your eyes on the railroad in the next year...
By the way, my loyalties and respect lie with James because he is a former employer of mine, and because he is a good friend. I did poke and prod him a little bit about expansion by means of acquisition of other lines, and I can tell you that everything he does or does not do, is all planned out well in advance..
He may very well enjoy railroading, but it is not just "playing with 1:1 scale trains".. It is a legitimate business.
Of course, I got ribbed a bit to about my dream of getting a switcher or two, and painting them Lackawanna Black, and operating the Totowa Spur, hahaha, but it had nothing to do with the operation part, just the choice of railroad which I would like to emulate.. All about fun really..
And maybe thats why I like James so much, unlike many other shortlines around here, were everyone hides behind desks, and avoids questions, gets escorted by their own police officers, and other acts of antisocialness, Jimmy will actually take time out of his busy day, and speak with you.
Its amazing that many who speak ill-will against the man truely don't know the man on a personal level that I do. Sure, there are rumors abound, sounds like a coffee clutch at the local Dunkin Donuts if you ask me..
But with God as my witness, the man truely wants to do whats good for the railroad industry in N.J. regardless of who it benefits, Something I don't see many others trying to do.
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NY & GL files feeder line application!
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Well, I say if he can do it, good for him. It isn't an easy thing. It's like fighting an uphill battle. But he's come this far and that is a tribute to his dedication and work and to those working with him.
~Nick O.: Moderator: NJT Rail
Moderator of the "widely popular" NJT Rail Forum! What once was first is now seventh!
Moderator of the "widely popular" NJT Rail Forum! What once was first is now seventh!
NS has filed a response to the NY & GL petition asking the STB to deny their feeder line application.
The pdf file is worth scanning, especially for the detailed route map.
http://www.stb.dot.gov/filings/all.nsf/ ... 213064.pdf
The pdf file is worth scanning, especially for the detailed route map.
http://www.stb.dot.gov/filings/all.nsf/ ... 213064.pdf
Well now, I guess NY&GL really didn't do a lot of their homework...I guess they are really facing an uphill battle now!!!
Steve
Steve
Trainlawyer, I agree with you on the premise that Mr. Wilson is certainly capable of doing what he proposed.
What I thought was interesting, but the board didn't seem to address the issue, was the customer who expressed interest in using the line. It appeared the STB was almost dismissive of the small customer. I was surprised that his proposed customer didn't make a demand for service. If they did, the NS would have had to address the issue of PC&N. I understand Jim's reluctance to bring forth customers because the NS WILL back-solicit the business.
I remember the NYCH adverse abandment case were the board quickly ruled in favor of the City of NY. The circuit court of appeals quickly vacated the boards decision. The little customers were given their due, but not until it got to the court of appeals level.
I am beginning to see a clear "bias" towards Class I carriers by this board. Well, bias may not be the right word here, but it is the first thing to come to mind. It would appear that the STB will give the class ones what they want until the circuit court tells them otherwise.
I wonder if Jim's going to appeal the decision. The decision came down from the director of proceedings, and not the entire board. If I understand the the rules correctly, the entire board would hear an appeal first. The likely outcome would be almost the same as the decision that came forth from the director's of proceedings office. Only after the enitre board hears the appeal can it make its way into the circuit court of appeals. I agree with you that the board would not be inclined to reverse itself midstream. Either way, it will be an expensive fight for Jim. I hope he keeps going....
Well that's all for now....
See ya all later....
What I thought was interesting, but the board didn't seem to address the issue, was the customer who expressed interest in using the line. It appeared the STB was almost dismissive of the small customer. I was surprised that his proposed customer didn't make a demand for service. If they did, the NS would have had to address the issue of PC&N. I understand Jim's reluctance to bring forth customers because the NS WILL back-solicit the business.
I remember the NYCH adverse abandment case were the board quickly ruled in favor of the City of NY. The circuit court of appeals quickly vacated the boards decision. The little customers were given their due, but not until it got to the court of appeals level.
I am beginning to see a clear "bias" towards Class I carriers by this board. Well, bias may not be the right word here, but it is the first thing to come to mind. It would appear that the STB will give the class ones what they want until the circuit court tells them otherwise.
I wonder if Jim's going to appeal the decision. The decision came down from the director of proceedings, and not the entire board. If I understand the the rules correctly, the entire board would hear an appeal first. The likely outcome would be almost the same as the decision that came forth from the director's of proceedings office. Only after the enitre board hears the appeal can it make its way into the circuit court of appeals. I agree with you that the board would not be inclined to reverse itself midstream. Either way, it will be an expensive fight for Jim. I hope he keeps going....
Well that's all for now....
See ya all later....
There is a person who some refer to as the 'cowboy' who lurks the NY&GL fenced yard in Passaic. Is he on Jimmy's payrolls or is he just a volunteer railfan ?
BlockLine_4111 wrote:There is a person who some refer to as the 'cowboy' who lurks the NY&GL fenced yard in Passaic. Is he on Jimmy's payrolls or is he just a volunteer railfan ?No, I don't even know if he still works for Jimmy.... I'm pretty sure he was an employee....
Steve
I was just down there recently, and saw Jimmy and some of the guys.. Yes, Mike a.k.a. Cowboy still works for Jimmy.
Must be doing pretty good too, drives a newer Ford Pick-up truck now...
Must be doing pretty good too, drives a newer Ford Pick-up truck now...
Today at 2pm the Geep and a caboose will drilling w/these hoppers of rubbish. Looked like both were midtream in the consist showing westward off the spur onto the siding parallel to BCL.
Does anyone think Jimmy would be better off working for someone else (e.g. RN, DL) and closer to his PA home? Perhaps if he played his cards right they can make him a partner and be on better behavior perhaps.
Hello all,
I'm kind of surprised by the last post above.
With no disrespect intended to you, Blockline, I'm curious as to why you feel the NY&GL would be better off without its senior principle, or, as you implied, relegated to a minority position in his own company?
Having met Mr. Wilson personally, and having seen first hand what he and his firm has done, I can't fathom why anyone would even suggest such a thing.
Mr. Wilson took over a line left for dead by Conrail, keeping service alive for one rail customer. He then went out and developed new business opportunities that now sees the railroad handling over 1000+ cars per year. His small meager firm has now both originating and terminating business.
By way of comparison, if you remove traffic generated at Bayway from the mix of my beloved M&E, the M&E is nothing but a terminating railroad for inbound traffic, at least in NJ.
Jim has been very active in securing both inbound and outbound traffic for his line. Despite some of his less memorable "recent"
press, and his well known antics with NJT from many years ago (the song "Here comes Peter Cottontail" comes to mind!! 
), he has forged forward, against all odds, and suceeded in making the NY&GL a success.
He is constantly looking for new opportunities to grow his business. In addition, he felt he could continue to provide an esstential service to comunities in the state of New Jersey that yes, believe it or not, actually lost commuter rail service in 2003. I know some people may not like certain personallities in the industry, but lets face it, he has been able to do a lot more than a lot of people that he would be able to do.
For that, I'll tip my cap to him, wish him well, and hope he continues to succeed.
Well, that's all for now folks!
See ya all later.....
I'm kind of surprised by the last post above.
With no disrespect intended to you, Blockline, I'm curious as to why you feel the NY&GL would be better off without its senior principle, or, as you implied, relegated to a minority position in his own company?
Having met Mr. Wilson personally, and having seen first hand what he and his firm has done, I can't fathom why anyone would even suggest such a thing.
Mr. Wilson took over a line left for dead by Conrail, keeping service alive for one rail customer. He then went out and developed new business opportunities that now sees the railroad handling over 1000+ cars per year. His small meager firm has now both originating and terminating business.
By way of comparison, if you remove traffic generated at Bayway from the mix of my beloved M&E, the M&E is nothing but a terminating railroad for inbound traffic, at least in NJ.
Jim has been very active in securing both inbound and outbound traffic for his line. Despite some of his less memorable "recent"
press, and his well known antics with NJT from many years ago (the song "Here comes Peter Cottontail" comes to mind!! ), he has forged forward, against all odds, and suceeded in making the NY&GL a success. He is constantly looking for new opportunities to grow his business. In addition, he felt he could continue to provide an esstential service to comunities in the state of New Jersey that yes, believe it or not, actually lost commuter rail service in 2003. I know some people may not like certain personallities in the industry, but lets face it, he has been able to do a lot more than a lot of people that he would be able to do.
For that, I'll tip my cap to him, wish him well, and hope he continues to succeed.
Well, that's all for now folks!
See ya all later.....
The Rising wrote:With no disrespect intended to you, Blockline, I'm curious as to why you feel the NY&GL would be better off without its senior principle, or, as you implied, relegated to a minority position in his own company?I never said or implied the NY&GL would be better off without its senior principle. I implied that perhaps their senior principle would be better off as a partner in larger operation(s) closer to home.