Filed under: Humboldt, Marin, Mendocino, NCRA, North Coast Railroad, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Sonoma
Santa Rosa Press Democrat: Judge to dismiss suit against North Coast rail service
Environmental groups cannot use state law to block the resumption of freight rail service on the North Coast, a Marin County judge tentatively ruled Tuesday.
Judge Roy O. Chernus said that federal law preempts state law in matters relating to railroads, so environmental groups could not sue the North Coast Railroad Authority over deficiencies in an environmental impact report that it prepared under state law using state money.
The state law “mandates a time-consuming review which may result in indefinite delays and unduly interfere with exclusive federal jurisdiction over rail transportation” by giving local officials power to block operations on environmental grounds, the judge wrote.
Ouch! This is what I have said for a long time. This also calls in to question Novato’s lawsuit and settlement. Maybe NCRA can get some money back from that city and the county of Marin.
Watch soon for Hank Sims to write another rant against the railroad and bearing his teeth. The troll or trolls will do the same with the comments on here.
Filed under: NCRA, North Coast Railroad, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Schellville, SMART, Sonoma, transit | Tags: Passenger Train
For the first time since the reopening of the railroad. The NWP is having a passenger train. For $199 you will travel between Sacramento and the Sonoma race track. A t-shirt and preferred seating is included.
For the first time ever, Northern California NASCAR fans can get on board the NASCAR Express train service to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Sonoma Raceway.
The raceway has partnered with the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) to offer a first-of-its-kind express train that will transport fans directly from the Sacramento area to the raceway on race day, Sunday, June 23, 2013. The train will depart from Sacramento, with stops in Davis and Suisun City, and traverse some of Northern California’s most spectacular scenery before dropping passengers just steps from the raceway’s main entrance.
April 27th
THA SPEEDER in the RHODODENDRON PARADE
April 27th and 28th, after the Rhododendron Parade Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday
DOLBEER DONKEY DAYS
Fort Humboldt State Historic Park
Special activities, a logging show, various equipment will operate and train rides will be provided.
Filed under: Humboldt, NCRA, North Coast Railroad, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad
I am not sure why people are so against finding out out options and the use of public money. In order to have knowledge we must have info. By using public money we can have what we want, that is passenger rail. That is why Union Pacific rejected public money to expand Donner Pass. They did not want to deal with passenger train expansion. East-West rail would be a common carrier. Things that are carried is produce from farms, lumber, ie common everyday things people need and want. There is no way to sneak the boogeyman coal through here. Relax.
Tomorrow is likely uneventful. The fish passage is likely approved without the bridge.
So Hank is once again on his rant on stopping something he does not support. IE East West Rail At least if the study gets stopped, he can continue to say any number for the cost and be right. Ignorance is bliss for hank and others. The idea the general population wants to find out real dollars makes his group mad with fury and scared his money generated by popular topics with his obtrusive ads will be reduced. He thinks he is entitled to this ad revenue and is why he took my blog off the Humboldt Blogs list. He did not like me using and advocating ad blocking software.
So make him mad, help find out the truth by supporting at least the study of the East West Rail and use ad blocking software.
Filed under: Arcata, Eureka, Humboldt, Manila, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Samoa, THA, trails | Tags: Arcata, california, Eureka, Humboldt, Novato, Railroad, trails, transportation
I admit being nervous how the committee process would go. As I told NCRA at their last meeting, what they came up with was very smart. Now we have a rail with trail process around the bay. This gives our area the political capital and economic benefits we need to implement the plan a single way could not. I knew that not all the ties needed to be replaced, and the rail did not need to be replaced, yet you naysayers would not listen. We can finally move forward now that the “squeeze” folks have quieted down. For those who continue to doubt normal maintenance can raise the rail-bed effectively for sea level rise, please understand NCRA already has done this as part of the rebuilding process. They raised the trestle down in Novato. On either side the track needed to be raised to match the bridge.
I am a part of this process. I do not have a problem with putting a trail along side the rail. I do have a problem with removing the rail for a trail in these vital areas. We need the tourist train. The tourist train is about diversification of our economy.
Funding for a feasibility study is being pursued. Looks like a connection to all the Marin ferries.
Marin Voice OpEd Electric trolleys are a viable transit option in Marin
MarinTrolleys.org the group’s website. Check out the presentation for a map of the proposed lines.
Filed under: Humboldt, NCRA, North Coast Railroad, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, THA | Tags: antique show, california, Humboldt, Loleta, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, nwp, Railroad, speeder
Looks to be another great weekend for fun, with some showers. This Saturday is the Loleta Antique Show and Loleta has been kind enough to invite Timber Heritage Association down to run once again. This show sponsored by the Loleta Volunteer Fire Department. According to their website it is one of the largest Antique Shows in Northern California. My only questions is how did I miss these gems for so long?
Filed under: Eureka, Humboldt, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, THA | Tags: california, heritage association, Humboldt, samoa, tourist train, transportation, travel
Another wonderful fundraiser for both Timber Heritage Association and the Clark Museum! A great turnout, weather was not bad, and everyone enjoyed themselves. With a little more work, I think the dinning car could be made available for catered food. Imagine the tourist train running from Samoa to Eureka. Such a ride will attract many people to come and say another night, helping the local economy. During the Fourth of July, runs between Eureka and Arcata will bring our cities together using alternative transportation.
With one hundred percent of the public speaking in favor of the study, the Supervisors did the honorable thing and unanimously approved going forward with supporting the study yesterday. With a broad base of support, this is good news.
According to the presentation the study would also resolve land use questions. However Supervisor Lovelace had to bring up land use questions, making me wonder if he listened to the presentation at all.
In an alternate universe, the back room dealing folks are unhappy that democracy happened.
