This from a recent Jamestown Post Journal article:
SALAMANCA - Changes within the internal structure of the Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad are not expected to hamper operations of the Southern Tier Rail Extension.
During a Monday meeting of the Southern Tier Extension Rail Authority Board, new WNYP President Carl Belke reported he will take the place of Bill Burt as president; Jean Blabey will be chairman and chief executive officer of the railroad and a new financial officer and treasurer is being sought.
Burt said the changes are part of an internal disagreement regarding control of the WNYP's parent company, and Tom Barnes of Southern Tier West, which oversees the authority, said the management changes are internal and will not affect the railroad's service.
''STERA is confident,'' he said about the new president's ability.
In previous years, local officials voiced concerns about the area losing rail service after previous owners of Hornell to Corry, Pa. line were expected to abandon the line. Norfolk/Southern purchased the line, with the Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board working to create STERA so tax abatements could be given on the line. They hired WNYP to service the line, and rail service has since expanded to, not only include the Hornell to Corry line, but, also a north/south route.
''Business prospects look really good,'' said Belke. He said there may be possible associations with water from slate explorations, and, he said a fuel house is expected to be built for the company by November or December.
During Monday's session, Belke said other changes will also be made to the railroad's operations after a need for personnel and locomotives were noticed. He said there have been no shut downs on the line, but, he said, there have been service failures. Despite that, Belke said, new business has been secured in the Meadville area, and, there has been talk about wind energy in the area.
Bob Walrod of Monofrax said he has had some problems with communication the last seven months or so in using the line.
''We're fixing it,'' said Belke, who said dispatch services have been moved from Falconer to Olean to better communications.
''In the process of making money, you must stay focused on the customer,'' he told rail representatives, who said they are working on changes.
Other changes being worked on is the Dawson Meadows railroad crossing that rail officials deemed unsafe. Despite that, officials said, it needs to remain open for fire access to nearby businesses. Officials plan to further discuss the issue with local representatives to see if public funding may be available to address the problem.
Work on Salamanca railroad bridge, expected to cost about $250,000 is also being examined.
SALAMANCA - Changes within the internal structure of the Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad are not expected to hamper operations of the Southern Tier Rail Extension.
During a Monday meeting of the Southern Tier Extension Rail Authority Board, new WNYP President Carl Belke reported he will take the place of Bill Burt as president; Jean Blabey will be chairman and chief executive officer of the railroad and a new financial officer and treasurer is being sought.
Burt said the changes are part of an internal disagreement regarding control of the WNYP's parent company, and Tom Barnes of Southern Tier West, which oversees the authority, said the management changes are internal and will not affect the railroad's service.
''STERA is confident,'' he said about the new president's ability.
In previous years, local officials voiced concerns about the area losing rail service after previous owners of Hornell to Corry, Pa. line were expected to abandon the line. Norfolk/Southern purchased the line, with the Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board working to create STERA so tax abatements could be given on the line. They hired WNYP to service the line, and rail service has since expanded to, not only include the Hornell to Corry line, but, also a north/south route.
''Business prospects look really good,'' said Belke. He said there may be possible associations with water from slate explorations, and, he said a fuel house is expected to be built for the company by November or December.
During Monday's session, Belke said other changes will also be made to the railroad's operations after a need for personnel and locomotives were noticed. He said there have been no shut downs on the line, but, he said, there have been service failures. Despite that, Belke said, new business has been secured in the Meadville area, and, there has been talk about wind energy in the area.
Bob Walrod of Monofrax said he has had some problems with communication the last seven months or so in using the line.
''We're fixing it,'' said Belke, who said dispatch services have been moved from Falconer to Olean to better communications.
''In the process of making money, you must stay focused on the customer,'' he told rail representatives, who said they are working on changes.
Other changes being worked on is the Dawson Meadows railroad crossing that rail officials deemed unsafe. Despite that, officials said, it needs to remain open for fire access to nearby businesses. Officials plan to further discuss the issue with local representatives to see if public funding may be available to address the problem.
Work on Salamanca railroad bridge, expected to cost about $250,000 is also being examined.
