Filed under: Arcata, bicycle, Eureka, Humboldt, NCRA, North Coast Railroad, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, THA, trails | Tags: NCJ, Not Online
Somehow my, and another letter about the rail failed to appear online at the North Coast Journal.
Rees Hughes makes a mistake by assuming all rail travel is more expensive than trails in the “A Walk on the Wild Side.” The problem is a matter of the weight of the rail travel exerting forces on the track. Speeders, hand cars, and rail-cycles do not weigh as much as a train. They are not classified by the Federal Railroad Administration as a train. All of these can run on the rail as it is today with the only exception is a little clearing of trees. The Arcata & Mad River Speeder Crewcar has traveled from the Arcata Marsh to the last crossing North of Eureka. Those washouts are minor, and I have lawfully walked that path, because of volunteering with the Timber Heritage Association. The costs are only that of clearing and inspection of the track. The reason that side is not regularly used is political, not physical. The mistake is assuming costs are all the same. So minimal costs versus millions of dollars to make the trail. The speeder clearly is the lowest cost version.
Another mistake is the thinking the speeder crewcar/hand cars would not attract many people. Already thousands of people have ridden the speeder on trips given by the Timber Heritage Association. Many of those people are from out of the area, enhancing the local economy. Last year twelve thousand people showed up for the annual one event called the Handcar Regretta, at the Santa Rosa Depot. I would describe that event as a Steam Punk sculpture race on the rails. Rail based transport is hugely popular.
Might I suggest we do a serious look at rail based passenger transport? I suggest we look at DMUs SMART will be using in Sonoma and Marin counties.
Filed under: Arcata, Humboldt, Manila, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Samoa, THA
As a demonstration how environmentalists can complain about every little thing, the usual groups have gotten together to pen a hilarious, over the top, and completely removed from realty letter.
The reality is very, very little work was done. The ballast work was simply moving it from one side of the track to another. No new ballast was used. To correct the driveway analogy, it is more akin to moving gravel a few feet on your driveway to fill in a pot hole, than anything else. As far as safety concerns, we had already passed over the bridges with zero deflection. Speeder doesn’t weigh much, even with people
The nice, balanced article by The Arcata Eye is here.
CTIA Files Suit to Block Cell Phone Radiation Law – PCWorld.
The CTIA, a group representing mobile operators, is trying to block a San Francisco ordinance that would require stores to disclose radiation levels for the phones they sell.
In a lawsuit filed Friday, the CTIA argues that the ordinance unlawfully interferes with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s authority over cell phones.
The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, seeks to block the ordinance, which was passed last month and requires retailers to post information about the Specific Absorption Rate for the phones they sell. SAR is a measure of cell phone radiation, and the FCC has established a SAR limit for phones sold in the U.S.
Is Arcata next?
Filed under: Arcata, Eureka, Humboldt, Manila, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Samoa, THA
Timber Heritage Association 2010 Speeder rides
FROM SAMOA COOKHOUSE TO NEAR MANILA
SATURDAY, JUNE 26TH, JULY 24TH,
AUGUST 28TH & SEPTEMBER 26TH
ON AUGUST 7TH THERE WILL ALSO BE SPECIAL RUNS
FROM ARCATA TO NEAR INDIANOLA (EAST SIDE OF BAY)
one hour rides # 9:00 – 4:00 # higher suggested donation
All Rides By RESERVATION Only
go to www.timberheritage.org
& select date, time, number of passengers, make
credit card donation to reserve your tickets
$7.00 suggested donation for adults, $6.00 for seniors (62+),
$4.00 for children (12 & under with an adult)
rides on the hour or half hour 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
for those without internet access, call 442-3073 and leave contact information
Other possible runs is 4th of July in Eureka to the bridge north of Eureka, and in Fortuna for a special event there.
Filed under: Arcata, Eureka, Humboldt, THA | Tags: Bonnie Neely, Richard Marks, Virgina Bass
We decided to redeem our Smugs free pizza certificate yesterday, so after no answers from the Eureka store, we went downtown. We thought, that since it was about 6pm, they might just be busy. Nope, closed. No hours, no answering machine. Thanks!
Interesting enough as we went through old town Bass, not Neely signs are on the Old Town Bar &Grill building. Apparently the developer who is restoring that building, thinks Bass can restore our area with real net increase of jobs, vs Neely waiting until election time to announce she has a plan.
I mean really, if you cared about Humboldt Co, and had so much experience/connections(good old boy/girl network), why not start it NOW?
Thanks to SMUG in Arcata, we were able to enjoy our free pizza that Smugs donated to the Timber Heritage Museum. On the same block was a sign place with a bunch of bumper stickers, many good laughs, and a couple I think apply to this election.
so few Richard Marks, so many dicks support Bonnie Neely.
and a bumper sticker that describes Bonnie Neely’s entire six terms.
Bonnie Neely for supervisor
Filed under: Arcata, bicycle, Eureka, Humboldt, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, THA, trails
North Coast lawmakers may be asked by local Democrats to introduce legislation that would hand over the North Coast Railroad line in Humboldt County to a public entity so it could be used for a trail and a tourist train.
Marijuana enthusiasts cite lack of motivation
…
Dan Faulk was the club advisor. He said that by 2008 the club had started to decline. “Gradually NORML became more limited, less democratic, less organized. There was very little effort to recruit new members. That interest in including and listening went away,” said Faulk.
HSU alum Jason Robo was the last club president. He said when he became president, he didn’t receive the support and guidance he needed to keep the club going. When he was ready to move on, he couldn’t find a successor.
via The Lumberjack – WONDR WHY NO NORML?.
Filed under: Arcata, bicycle, Blue Lake, Eureka, Humboldt, Manila, Marin, Mendocino, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Samoa, SMART, Sonoma, THA, trails
NORTH COAST RAILROAD AUTHORITY (NCRA)
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, March 10, 2010~ 10:30 a.m.
Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Chambers
825 5th Street, Eureka
Humboldt County
DRAFT AGENDA
AGENDA NOTE
All items appearing on the agenda are subject to action by the Board of Directors. Staff recommendations are subject to action by the Board of
Directors. Staff recommendations are subject to change by the Board.
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. ROLL CALL
C. AGENDA APPROVAL
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
Comments will be limited to three minutes per person and not more than ten minutes per subject, so that everyone can
be heard. “Public comment” time is limited to matters under the jurisdiction of the Authority that may not have been
considered by the Authority previously and are not on the agenda. No action will be taken. Members of the public may
also comment during specific agenda items when recognized by the Chair.
E. PRESENTATIONS
1. Spencer Clifton – Annie & Mary Trail Update
2. Karen Diemer – Arcata to Bracut Trail Update
3. Gerry Tomczak – Timber Heritage Association Update
F. DISCUSSION ITEMS (no action required)
1. Status of Lombard-Windsor Repair Project – Lifting of Emergency Order 21
2. Status of RRIF Loan
3. Status of November 5, 2009 Russian River Division EIR
4. SMART/NCRA Revised Operating Agreement
2
5. Sale of the Ukiah Depot
6. NCRA/SMART Joint Use of $8.6 mil. in ISTEA Funds
7. April 7/8 CTC Meeting
8. Novato Consent Decree
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of Minutes – Regular Board Meeting – February 13, 2010
2. Acceptance of Minutes – Finance Committee Meeting – January 10, 2010
3. Acceptance of Minutes – Finance Committee Meeting – February 10, 2010
4. Acceptance of Sonoma County Financial Statements – February 2010
5. Acceptance of NCRA Financial Statements – February 2010
6. Approval of Warrants Issued – Agency 787010 – February 2010
7. Approval of Cal Card Statement – February 2010
H. OPERATOR REPORT
1. NWP Co. – John Williams
I. LEGAL COUNSEL REPORT
1. C.J.Neary
J. MATTERS FROM THE BOARD
K. CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Govt. Code Section 54956.9(c) one case
2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Govt. Code Section 54956.8
Property – Ukiah Depot Property
Negotiating Parties – Caltrans, City of Ukiah, County of Mendocino, Weston
Solutions, Union Pacific Railroad
Under Negotiation – regulatory matters, existing and potential contractual matters,
price, payment, terms
Agency Negotiators – C.J. Neary, Mitch Stogner
L. ANNOUNCEMENT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
M. ANNOUCNEMENT OF NEXT MEETING
April 14, 2010 – 10:30 a.m.
Corte Madera Best Western – Terrace Suite
56 Madera Blvd.
Corte Madera
Marin County
Looks like there is a little bit for everybody.
Filed under: Arcata, bicycle, Humboldt, Marin, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, SMART, Sonoma
Transpo factions meet in detente over Arcata’s new trail plans
By Heidi Walters
The overt rancor that’s been known to occur between train enthusiasts and trail advocates seems to have been put on simmer of late, as the City of Arcata leads the way with a multi-stakeholder, collaboratively conceived plan for an initial trail-with-rail project.
A well done article. Some things to note, the Skunk train actually turned a profit this past year.
MIJ: Marin Voice: Committed to SMART’s success
By Debra Fudge, Barbara Pahre and Charles McGlashan
Posted: 02/14/2010 09:03:47 AM PSTIN NOVEMBER 2008, nearly 70 percent of the voters in Sonoma and Marin counties supported the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit project, a 70-mile passenger train and pathway connecting all the cities along Highway 101, from Cloverdale to Larkspur.
We are moving this project forward at a time when most government agencies are struggling to get by in this deep economic recession.
SMART has not been spared; the resulting 9-percent drop in sales tax revenue leaves a $155 million shortfall in our plan to build the entire line by 2014. Since May, when we first reported this shortfall, we have been looking for ways to fill that gap.
One idea, discussed at last month’s public meeting, was to build the train in two phases, with the goal of having the train running along the whole route by 2016. This option would depend upon SMART receiving funds from a federal program called “New Starts.”
If we built the train on a “pay as you go” basis, with no new funding, the line might not be complete until 2021. No one on our board liked that option.
So, the board voted unanimously to explore the possibility of New Starts funding.
Unfortunately, media reports portrayed us as having already decided where to build the train first, with some accounts implying that we had abandoned Sonoma County.
These reports were simply wrong.
Now, several weeks later, SMART has learned that the federal funding we would need in order to even consider the two-phase option may not be available to us due to regional funding priorities for BART and other large rail transit projects in the Bay Area.
Still, when we met with Metropolitan Transportation Commission representatives last week, they told us they want to help us solve the shortfall for the SMART project, and the agency is willing to provide regional assistance to SMART to tackle our funding gap.
We are very encouraged by this response and look forward to working with our regional partners at MTC and around the North Bay to deliver this important regional rail and pathway project.
Unfortunately, as we explore these strategies for making this project whole, some who oppose the train and bike path are happy to spread the erroneous impression that the SMART board would leave Sonoma County in the dust. On top of that, a petition is being circulated accusing the SMART board of betraying the voters.
Let’s be clear. Bringing a 21st century transportation system to both Sonoma and Marin is absolutely vital for the future of the region. It means a cleaner environment, more jobs and less traffic.
We and our fellow board members are committed to minimizing SMART’s financial challenge, securing alternative revenues and, most importantly, ensuring that the entire system gets built as quickly and efficiently as possible.
We will continue to move this project forward toward that goal.
You can help us by taking part in our station design workshops being held this month and other meetings and workshops that will be held. See the current meeting schedule at www.sonomamarintrain.org.
We urge everyone to come out, make your voices heard, and join us in planning the future of your SMART train.
Debra Fudge is chairwoman of the SMART board. She is a Windsor City Councilwoman. Barbara Pahre of Napa is SMART’S vice chairwoman and represents the Golden Gate Bridge District Board on the SMART board. Marin County Supervisor Charles McGlashan of Mill Valley is a SMART board member.
Some to note of this, is this project would of been done, and fully financed if it would of been passed just one time prior to when it did.
SRPD: Commuters create wish list for Sonoma-Marin train
Leather-like seats for two with a work table, a bar with drinks and snacks, and hangar-style bicycle racks are some of the amenities that North Bay commuters say they want in their trains.
Filed under: Arcata, Eureka, Humboldt, Manila, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Samoa, THA
Speeder ride schedule for 2010;
At the Jan. 26, 2010 THA board meeting the board voted on the following tentative dates for 2010 speeder operations on Saturdays originating at Samoa:
June 26, July 24, August 28, and September 25.
A special day of rides down the 101 Corridor between Arcata and Eureka is tentatively planned for August 7.
Training for the Special Operations Crews is tentatively scheduled for Saturday May 29 and June 5.
Other ride days may be scheduled, but are not planned at this time.
No reservations are being accepted at this time. An on-line reservations system is being considered.
Two Saturdays ago;
Ok it has been a while since I’ve been down to the roundhouse complex.
Track has been laid for the passenger cars. The actual move of the cars has been delayed due to weather.
The 2nd speeder that is being converted in to a trailer for hauling passengers, has been gutted out.
Yesterday the logger shed was fixed up to store flammables away from the main buildings. I was able to check out the speeder trailer. I like it. It is all steel with angle iron as short corner posts.
Electricity was restored to the boiler shop under the supervision of Rod and other skilled, professional electricians that volunteered their time.
The red caboose in Scotia will soon be moving to a new home. The Pacific Lumber Company #5 wooden caboose, parked next to the Fire Hall in Scotia, will soon be moving to the roundhouse in Samoa, and joining the Timber Heritage Association (THA) collection.
The passenger car’s haven’t been delivered yet due to weather. The track has been assembled to put them on.
The conversion of an old crew speeder in to a passenger trailer, is going smoothly. This Saturday they should be sandblasting the frame, to get it ready to paint. The reason this speeder was chosen, was engine on this one was in poor shape, yet the body was in good shape. Modifications are done with the intent of still being able to restore the speeder to former, self-powered glory.
