Filed under: NCRA, Railroad, SMART, Marin, Sonoma, transit, Northwestern Pacific Railroad | Tags: cats, Patty Clary, Californians for Alternatives to Toxics
Despite Patty Clary of Californians for Alternatives to Toxics (CATs) being quoted, in the NEC paper that the railroad is required to use creosoted ties for construction. The first load of concrete ties were delivered today in Santa Rosa for the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART). This will reduce needed maintenance. This, for those who may not know, is the same line NCRA/NWP use.
BTW, dear Patty Clary, this was not the first time alternatives to the traditional creosoted tie were used on this railroad. On the Ridgewood pass, alternatives were tried.
Update: Two videos already posted.
Also, lying about alternatives the railroad could be using, does not help the democratic process.
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: Humboldt, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Samoa, THA
Last speeder rides of the season put on by Timber Heritage Association are today from 9am to 4pm. Excluding lunch hour. Boarding area is in front of the Samoa Cookhouse. Fun little ride!
Filed under: Marin, Mendocino, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Sonoma
The move could make it easier for the rail authority to defend the cargo trains, which returned to Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties in July after a 10-year absence.
Filed under: Marin, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Novato, Petaluma, Railroad, Santa Rosa, Schellville, Sonoma
Freight trains could roll on the Northwestern Pacific Railroad in Sonoma, Marin and Napa counties today after the Novato City Council late Tuesday agreed to revise a legal settlement that sets guidelines for trains running through the city.
Two council members voted against the proposed changes in the settlement, saying they were worried about the impacts of train traffic.
Filed under: Eureka, Humboldt, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, THA
Timber Heritage Association will be operating the two crew cars along 1st Street from F Street to the Adorni Center and back on Monday 4 July 2011, from 10 to 5.
Filed under: Marin, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Sonoma
Friends of the Eel River, with Scott G slithering in to leader of that group filed a lawsuit like clockwork. SRPD
Filed under: Marin, Mendocino, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Sonoma
NCRA releases environmental report on freight service | PressDemocrat.com.
The North Coast Rail Authority on Wednesday took another step toward resurrecting freight service in Napa, Sonoma, Marin and Mendocino counties by releasing a final environmental impact report.
Filed under: Marin, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Sonoma
Feds OK return of freight trains in North Bay | PressDemocrat.com.
Federal rail regulators Thursday lifted a 10-year-old embargo on freight traffic over the Northwestern Pacific Railroad in Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties, setting the stage for a return of cargo trains later this year.
Filed under: Marin, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Novato, Petaluma, Railroad, Santa Rosa, SMART, Sonoma
MOW is pleased to announce our first motorcar excursion on the newly
renovated ex NWP rails since they were bought by SMART (Sonoma Marin Area
Rail Transit). This is also a very special excursion in support of
“eco-tourism” in Sonoma and Marin counties. EcoRing is a non-profit
organization which is organizing this “EcoOdyssey” event to promote tourism
using alternatives to cars for transportation. Since SMART is not in service
yet EcoRing asked if we could provide rail transportation for this event. We
will have guests joining us from the railroad, local and state politicians
and dignitaries, and members of the press who support rail transportation.May 6 Set-on, Santa Rosa to Healdsburg and return to Santa Rosa. May 7,
Santa Rosa to Petaluma and Navato and return and set-off. Limit 25 cars each
day. $40 for both days, $15 for May 6 only, $25 for May 7.
This is supported by the Motorcar Operators West, a wonderful group of speeder enthusiasts. Done using a group of speeders. The kind environmentalists threw a fit up here about. Down there, they are eco-transportation.
