Utica Branch Discussion Thread

[fredrick]

Here are additional short YouTube clips regarding the NYS&W Utica Branch:

Utica Track Work #1........http://youtu.be/6xXUZp4A8lU
Utica Track Work #2........http://youtu.be/UAxN7cS5uGw
NYS&W Paris, NY........ http://youtu.be/M-_Y8Use914
NYS&W Paris, NY........ http://youtu.be/Kns0d7dr5Mk
NYS&W Clayviile, NY..... http://youtu.be/V1P1NjRO9So

great videos on nysw utica branch.if you find new ones please post it. thanks ut-1.

[Steve F45]

This was posted on a nysw yahoo group today. I know the date is 3 weeks ago but i dont remember seeing it posted here.

{QUOTE}October 22, 2012
Federal aid to help repair rail line
Staff Report The Daily Star

A local rail line damaged by the floods of 2006 has received an additional $4.7 million in aid, bringing it closer to its goal of a full recovery, according to a media release from Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.

The CCIDA got word in December that it would receive $772,422 in funding from the state Department of Transportation, but according to Schumer’s release, the project is still $407,000 short of the needed funds to complete the reconstruction of the section of rail that runs from Chenango Forks to Sherburne.

The rail line is operated by the Cooperstown-based New York Susquehanna and Western Railroad.[/QUOTE]

Full article:
http://thedailystar.com/localnews/x1133 ... -rail-line

[milkman]

This was in the Evening Sun today.
http://www.evesun.com/news/stories/2012 ... -railroad/

[ut-1]

Great news! The point is made, in the part of the article one has to pay to read, however, that the grant is contingent upon finding a viable operator to run the entire line from Chenango Forks to Utica:

"While saving the railroad looks promising, there is still a long road ahead. Funding for the project is contingent upon forging a long-term operations and maintenance agreement with a viable operator. The [NYS&W], operators of the Utica Main LIne, have not made any public announcement that they intend to sell the entire 85-mile length of railroad. Company officials were unavailable for comment this morning. However, Economic Development Director Jennifer Tavares said it was the IDA's understanding from conversations that they would be open to transferring ownership. [CCIDA Executive Director] Craig said 'several' viable short-line railroad enterprises have expressed an interest in purchasing the line."

Therefore, whether the line remains under NYS&W control is yet to be seen. So, while a big step forward, details still remain to be worked out.

[charlie6017]

Awesome!!!

[fredrick]

thats great news they got the remaining funds for this project.

[pumpers]

Awesome!!!

Awesome that NYSW will no longer be running on the line? I guess if that is the only way to save it... Would have to move to a new thread though.
For a long time they didn't want to sell because they thought it would be a valuable corridor for a high voltage power line. Assuming that can be done compatible with a RR, maybe they would sell but retain some legal right to run a power line, or perhaps retain the right to sell the rights to a power line. JS

[charlie6017]

I don't think that at all. When I posted that, it was before UT-1 edited his post and that is not what I am referring to. I kinda
wish he had posted that in a new post as opposed to editing it. I would rather see NYSW keep this line.

Charlie

[fredrick]

this line cost a lot of money to fix. who ever take over this line rather would nysw or another railroad company. lets hpoe they would take of this line.so this never happen again.i mean chenango county ida went out way to get funding for fixing this line.

[chen1234]

If the NYS&W isn't interested in the line, I would think the most likely buyer would be the MA&N. It would give them direct access to the heart of gas drilling country when it finally goes through. Supplies could be hauled in and waste hauled out. A transload facility in Norwich or Oxford would drastically cut down on long haul truck traffic.
NS has already established a transload facility in Horseheads for Midwest fracking sand to be shipped into Pennsylvania. It wouldn't be a big stretch for them to ship it in a little further.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/e ... fBN4fdeHCL

The only wild card would be if CSX/NS started seeing dollar signs once the clear is given to start drilling. They could kick the NYS&W right out of the picture with their joint stock holdings and run the line themselves (or force them to take the line back, if they didn't want to on their own).

[milkman]

I agree that MA&N would be the one most likely to buy the line if NYS&W doesn't want to continue to operate the Utica line.It would tie right into the lines they have already running out of Utica.

[JoeCollege]

I agree that MA&N would be the one most likely to buy the line if NYS&W doesn't want to continue to operate the Utica line.It would tie right into the lines they have already running out of Utica.

But first, NYSW, who has never paid taxes on the line (in return for the "economic benefits" it is supposed to bring to the towns and villages it passes through) and who has received tens of millions in taxpayer money to rehab, operate, and maintain the line, would have to agree to relinquish or sell their interest in the line. Instead, they are doing everything in their power to kill this line.

Based on their past actions, they see more potential in it as some sort of energy-related right of way than as a transportation corridor that could benefit an entire region.

[ut-1]

For the first time this winter (and probably the first time in 2 years), the NYS&W ran a snowplow on the Utica branch today. Here's a short YouTube clip showing its return, at sunset, to Utica:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf-Ixv5-nmw

[charlie6017]

Awesome video......thanks for posting this!

Charlie

[ut-1]

Thanks, Charlie! I saw the plow train go past my office in S Utica and had to hustle to get to that location. I especially like the fact that the train is coming in under a spectacular sunset.