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Filed under: Arcata, Humboldt, NCRA, North Coast Railroad, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, THA
Here is an uploaded Youtube video of the new bullet train California High Speed Rail link into Arcata, CA. Recorded today.
Thanks Bayard for making it all possible!…
Note: Run was on Saturday
Filed under: Arcata, Eureka, Humboldt, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, THA, bicycle, harbor, trails
This weeks North Coast Journal, Hank Sims has an article on harbor commissioner Pat Higgins wanting to transfer the management of the Humboldt part of the railroad to the district. Due to the large sum of $175,000 the NCRA owes the district. Unfortunately, you have to wait until Thursday to read it online.
I’m not sure how they can manage it, when, they are hurting for cash also. That is a question, Hank fails to ask, or answer.
Another question, is “With that section closed, the justification for the authority” is stated, but never seems to be finished. What was it’s closing of that sentence? That “With that section closed, the justification for the authority is to get the Humboldt short line going ASAP?”
Maybe, “With that section closed, the justification for the authority to sue the state of California, for not providing enough funds, to operate, on something other than a shoestring budget. Thus ensuring the failure of the railroad to keep up the maintenance, preventing a high cost of return?”
The thing is Higgins seems to infer that the NCRA and NWP aren’t working with THA, and trails. To what I’ve seen NCRA, and NWP have been very helpful to THA.
My other issue with NCJ is the failure to print my election letter supporting Dan and Richard.
Filed under: Arcata, Humboldt, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, THA, bicycle, trails
The THA crew and numerous media folks had a grand day on the rails today.
A sparkling sunny day was perfect for photography. The consultants for the
trail study and the channel 3 reporter had a blast. We also got our
message out there that we are about win-win, and having both rail and
trail. The full story should be on at 6 and 11pm, on News channel 3 tv.
Check it out! Marcus
Filed under: Arcata, Humboldt, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, THA, bicycle, trails
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- almost to Bracutt
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- almost to Bracutt
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- At southern end of Bracutt
We made it to Bracut with the clearing. It would be of the type the Army would call a hasty clearing. As long as the speeder was able to pass, it was called good. This is why in the areas we cleared, it doesn’t look to our usual standards, and brush can be seen on the right of way. Trimmed the trees in the southern part of Bracutt, and whatever got in our way after that. Even got the speeder down with the northern part of the equilipis trees. We didn’t quite make it to the Redwood Lumber company site due to time. Not one negative reaction to what we were doing. Plenty of smiles, and friendly honks both in the marsh area, and along highway 101. No problems with the partly washed out areas, and that vindicates what I have said. We even hauled one of our member’s bicycles.
I also took video, but that will be a little while. iMovie is trying to stabilize my video now.
The whole point of this work, is tomorrow the trails group for Arcata to Bracutt, wanted to film both from the air, and from the speeder. This seems to be part of planning.
Also I would like to apologize to the city of Arcata, for my forgetting to thank them in my last post for all they work they have done to keep the rails clear. True, it is because they want trails, but that greatly helped our efforts to get to Bracutt. The other thing that helped is the billboard company’s effort to keep their view clean.
Filed under: Arcata, Humboldt, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Samoa, THA, bicycle, trails
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- last part we cleaned up today
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- old pilings in Arcata Marsh during row cleanup 21 nov 2009
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- old pilings in Arcata Marsh during row cleanup 21 nov 2009
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- ld shoes nailed to railroad bridge in Arcata Marsh during row cleanup 21 nov 2009
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- artsy railroad ties in Arcata Marsh during row cleanup 21 nov 2009
In preparation for running the speeder on Monday for the trails video between Arcata and Bracutt, Timber Heritage Association was able to clear most of the track today. We just made it good enough to run a speeder. Still a little bit of clearing of brush. Also scrape the dirt off, the rails, and out of the flange-ways of the trail crossing in the marsh. Nothing big on the trail crossing mind you, most people won’t even notice.
It is always interesting to visit the row in the marsh, it is getting more, and more artsy. With painted ties, and stuff nailed to it.
I do have to question those who say the railroad row has to be dug up because of dioxin. What about all these places with old pilings?
Tomorrow we will be meeting at 10am at the roundhouse in Samoa to load up the speeder to do test rides on this section of track. Don’t want to have problems on Monday. Last I heard, the speeder will be loaded up on Monday, at 8am at the roundhouse in Samoa.
This Friday and Saturday a short piece of track will be laid on the Samoa roundhouse grounds to put the passenger cars on. It will be on the pavement so no movement of soils will be done. To be clear, it will not connect to the NWP mainline yet. That connection will be a ways off.
Also electrical work will be started on Saturday for the buildings.
Like always volunteers are always welcome.
Filed under: Eureka, Humboldt, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, THA, bicycle, harbor, trails
Video to come later.
No Wifi access, so I can’t do my usual live bloging. I’m slow at texting and thus won’t do many twittering.
NCRA counsel isn’t here, so discussions/replies can’t be done at this meeting.
EPIC
DEIR: wants more time to review, complaining that due to holidays people won’t have time to review it. Wants it to be extended 30 days.
Lady from Fortuna, doesn’t understand why NCRA did the lease for thirty years, when the current gravel mining permit will last for about three more years.
Pat Wiggins: Here as part to get a repayment of money owed to the Harbor District. Says chapter 9 is possible of NCRA, and thus ROW sold piece meal. Suggested that NCRA’s land/ROW be transferred to the Harbor district, so they can develop the trail, and tourist train.
Chairman Hemphill said they are identifying more sources of revenue.
Had just received an entire history of of Marcus, THA history, trail vs railroad, passenger cars, life the universe and everything.
Hank Sims left after that, must of got what he wanted, or something better happened.
Trail update, should have route for public review in January, for Eureka to Arcata. In four weeks should have clear idea of routes. Very happy and helpful to have meeting with John Williams yesterday. Meeting with THA today.
The securities vote is so they can explore various methods to increase revenues.
ICE-T funds only for Cloverdale south, not anywhere north. Quiet zone funding would only be around the city of Novato.
Caltrans, Rep says funds was for the entire line.
Chairman McDonald further defined that the funds was originally sought, for the Northern line.
Financial information, was disapproved by the board due to lack of accrual statements
? NCRA is currently undergoing yearly audit. Note board members were disapproving on the lack reports, rather than information presented.
SMART forgave NCRA’s loan for repair of Haystack bridge, due to NCRA’s work on shared portion of the line.
Draft EIR. Note comment period was already extended one week to make it to end of year. No approval of further extension of comment period.
Revenues of 800,000 per year, expenses of 1 million per year. 1/3 of revenue is car leases, part id property/crossing leases. Needs to complete repairs, and start running trains.
Sonoma county is the one doing the financial books.
Quaker hill project?
Tom McDonald’s report used by Pat Higgins, and SMART wasn’t complete, was intended to be an internal report as a call to action.
Operator’s report.
Supports THA efforts. THA is a possible source of income for NCRA. Needs money to repair track. Need to prioritize money for Northern project. Also supports efforts to put trail along side rail. Spent three hours yesterday, walking along track with trails person.
Suggestions for revenue. Consider suspending stipends until such time board is more solvent. Principal effort is to lift FRA order 21.
McDonald, wanted to correct that he was only over per deim is staying in Humboldt, during county fair time, and not by much. Thus the hotel didn’t offer government discount at that time. Same with Meyers. Atkins said she hasn’t submitted her expenses yet. She wouldn’t be able to be on the board, if expenses weren’t reimbursed.
Next meeting at Novato, hoping for that city council chambers.
No presentations by Dave at this meeting.
Filed under: Eureka, Humboldt, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, THA, bicycle, trails
NORTH COAST RAILROAD AUTHORITY (NCRA)
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, November 18, 2009~ 10:30 a.m.
Eureka City Council Chambers
531 “K” Street
Eureka
Humboldt County
Amended 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. Tourist Train Update – Timber Heritage Association – Marcus Brown
2. Arcata Rail-With-Trail Project – City of Arcata – Karen Diemer
F. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
1. Discussion and Possible Approval of Sutter Securities Engagement Letter –
Potential Capital Financing Programs
2. Adoption of Resolution 2009-09 of the Board of Directors of NCRA
Authorizing NCRA to Work Jointly with SMART to Obtain ISTEA Funding and
Delegate the Executive Director Authority to Take Necessary Acts
2
3. Discussion and Possible Appointment to NCRA Committees
Appointment of Director to the following NCRA Committees:
a. Property Committee
b. Finance Committee
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of Minutes – Regular Board Meeting – October 14, 2009
2. Approval of Minutes – Property Committee – November 6, 2009
3. Acceptance of Financial Statements – October 2009
4. Approval of Warrants Issued – Agency 787010 – October 2009
5. Approval of Warrants Issued – TCRP 787101 – October 2009
6. Approval of Cal Card Statement – October 2009
H. COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Property Committee – Director Kelley
I. STAFF REPORTS
1. Executive Director – Mitch Stogner
a. SMART/NCRA Operating Agreement Discussions
b. Haystack Loan Forgiveness
c. DEIR Status Update
J. OPERATOR REPORT
1. NWP Co. – John Williams
K. MATTERS FROM THE BOARD
Railroaders put on Oktoberfest to raise funds for restorations – Humboldt Beacon.
Celebrate Oktoberfest and support the efforts of the Timber Heritage Association at a fundraiser at the Adorni Center in Eureka on Friday, Oct. 23.
The event will feature platters of delicious German fare, cold beer and root beer, music from the Humboldt Accordionaires, and a raffle for a three-day round trip aboard the private railcar Virginia City (from Emeryville to Reno).
Filed under: Humboldt, Manila, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Samoa, THA
We had a special speeder run today, just for the communities of Manila, and Samoa. Weather wasn’t bad, just light rain. The rides were free, as a thanks for the support. Pretty good turnout, despite the very limited advertising.
We’ve cleared part way in to the last heavy brush area between Manila and highway 255. It really helped having the use of the exhavator to load the dump truck. NCRA needed the exhavator and dump truck for use down south to clean up winter debris. They greatly helped out the speed and width of cleanup. Now further cleanup will be harder and slower. At least we don’t have much left of the thickly overgrown area left.
Two Thursdays ago members went out to Fields Landing to retreve another speeder and move it to Samoa. The engine in it is no good, so the speeder is going to be restored as a trailer to the A&MR RR speeder. Issuses to be dealt with is braking, pa speaker, lights, and general restoration. The engine have already been taken out.
We have already met our rent requirement for the year with the work we have done.
The ROW has been cut just east of the bridge by Sierra Pacific for what looks like levee work.
