INTERMODAL · FREIGHT · PASSENGER · TOURIST
Correction to the minutes of last month's meeting deleting "Boston/WRJ/SPN
& Return" included under the "NH Day" item. Amended
minutes then adopted.
David White to serve as ballot clerk for tonight's election of officers at the conclusion of the meeting.
Bills extending Task Forces on the Manchester & Lawrence/Northern RR and Seacoast Lines (Newburyport/Portsmouth). Rep. Katsakiores reported no Senate hearings scheduled as yet. Bill to limit liability (requested by Guilford) held over by committee until next session. Also, Guilford is requesting a stiffening of the state's anti-RR trespass law. Guilford is concerned that 79 mph is too fast at grade crossings on the eastern side of the state but Karl Smith noted that traveling ALONG railway rights-of-way poses the most dangerous situation, not crossing tracks at crossings. Don Provencher felt that the proximity of some recreational trails to rails lines causes infrastructure damage. Gary Webster (Conway Scenic) points to ballast and tie damage caused by operating snowmobiles and OHRVs too close to the tracks. Jim LeValley: town of Hooksett strictly enforces state RR trespass statute.
Should legislation be introduced (by title only at this early date) to study
the Milford/Bennington Line? Concord/Lincoln Line for tourism and
the return of ski trains taken by eminent domain back in 1973 under the Gov.
Thomson Administration? Some members felt focus should be maintained on the line
to Nashua and Northern. Rep. Jim Whittemore felt The Northern was why NHRRA was
formed. But there should be communications with NH DOT before any more bills are
filed.
Dave White reported on the Short Line RR meeting held in Lyman Cousens'
office in Concord April 17. These businesses have unique problems
including the need for such right-of-way maintenance items as ballast
maintenance by use of tampers and regulators. Are funds available for the
purchase of such equipment?
Letter to Albert G. Garneau of Franklin dated 4 April from Gov. Shaheen
stresses her administration's full support for the Boston/Portland Amtrak
service, possible commuter service along the I-93 corridor as an alternative to
congestion, and extension of Lowell MBTA service into Nashua and eventually
Manchester. As chair of the Coalition of Northeast Governors (CONEG) she has
directed staff there to work toward development
of rail in the region, and is lobbying members of Congress to this effect. This
is a major policy initiative of this administration.
But no word yet on the next meeting of the Governor's Integrated
Transportation and Rail Advisory Council of which NHRRA pres. Peter
Griffin is a member. They have met twice since being established.
North Country - old NH/VT RR presently has no activity and there is a
lack of state support. The Littleton Lumber Co. siding never happened.
This association should be in contact with John DiNapoli at NH DRED since he is
their freight development person.
Northern Railroad - Karen Songhurst reports from VT. Agency of Trans.
in Montpelier that the choice of consulting engineers has been narrowed down to
two firms. Final choice will be in time for a 1 July start-up of the $200,000
federal study of the former Boston/Montreal Corridor. Much
preliminary work has already been done; Tuck School at Dartmouth, UNH
Engineering School, NHRAA, NH Div. of Rail, NH Division of Historic
Resources, at Iron Horse Park in Billerica, etc. VT is spearheading the entire
corridor. Canadian Consul General Mary Clancy has asked for a
briefing once Ambassador Cellucci is settled in.
Manchester & Lawrence - John Palmer has tabulated a long list of
potential customers along the line in just Derry and Londonderry. There are 35
at-grade crossings. Abandonment from the NH/MA border to just north of Salem has
been filed with the Surface Trans. Board by Guilford.
Does it make sense to lay light rail down I-93 median strip to connect with MBTA
at Woburn and into Boston?
Portland/Boston - Start-up dates keep getting postponed. The latest is
June 15 but with trains slowed to 59 mph until the "Surf Board" can
re-rule in 112-lb. rail as being safe for 79 mph. Guilford, which seems to grow
angrier by the day*, keeps pushing to establish 59 and took the
press on a recent run-through. Qualified Amtrak train crew members are bidding
for the jobs there.
Seacoast - Next meeting is set for May 30 at Portsmouth Town Hall, reports Bill Mosher.
<From: Malcolm T Taylor northeastnews@juno.com] - May 04, 2001 6:07 PM>
--------------------------
Rail Show in Hooksett went O.K. Another show in Concord 9 Sept. National Corridors Initiative meeting in Washington is scheduled for mid-May. Approved: $250 to Peter Griffin to attend. Also "Regional View of Freight and Passenger Rail conference in Portland May 11-13 bringing together DOT folks from all over the northeast.
Amendment to the bylaws: Bill Remington reported on Article 7
concerning how long a president may serve consecutively. For Griffin to be
re-elected wording must be changed to read "three two-year terms" from
the present "no term to exceed three years." John Palmer moved,
Bill
Mosher seconded. Unanimous vote.
Election of officers for the ensuing year:
Appointed positions:
Flanders reported $1076. in the treasury.
Voted to adjourn at 2130 hr.
*Guilford is reported to be considering suing Maine Rep. Chris Hall
(D-Bristol) and possibly the Speaker of the Maine House of Reps. for comments
made about GRS.
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