Another Setback to Getting Train Service Back to and From the Dome

[CuseLegacy]

CSX/NYSW now use this line to move large stack trains up from Binghampton, probably daily.

 

[SUbear]

CSX/NYSW now use this line to move large stack trains up from Binghampton, probably daily.

If so that is not happening any time soon.

 

[texascpa]

Very true. The Trump tax cut is a huge facade in the realm. CEO's of many top companies admitted that they were most likely going to use this opportunity to enhance their own stock repurchasing program versus dumping the $$$ into infrastructure, growth, expansion, etc. Just more of the rich getting richer in the end. If Americans would pay more attention to this (no different then the aftermath of the financial crisis, etc.) they'd would be appalled & infuriated with such inequities.

And many took an opposite approach, but let's ignore them.

 

[bevosu]

This was mid April.

Tax cut savings flow to company stockholders, trickle to hourly workers

 

[sutomcat]

One of the newspaper articles says average of 2 trains a day use the tracks.

The newspaper is wrong in saying NYS&W owns this line (I am referring specifically to the Jamesville Secondary Track). It is owned by the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency, which leases it to NYS&W. I assume the lease include provisions that make NYS&W responsible for upkeep during the length of the lease. I bring this up just to point out OCIDA took ownership specifically to facilitate setting up the type of passenger shuttle service we are discussing here.

The New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway (NYS&W) is a regional carrier that started service in the Syracuse Metropolitan Area in the early 1980’s. The former DL&W line from Syracuse to Binghamton was proposed for abandonment by Conrail and subsequently taken over for operating purposes by the NYS&W in 1982. Conrail maintained the portion of the line from Jamesville to Syracuse and interchange of freight traffic with the NYS&W took place at Jamesville. In 1993, the Jamesville Secondary Track, which was the nine-mile segment from Jamesville to connection with the Conrail main line in Syracuse was put up for sale. As part of an effort to begin a passenger shuttle service, Conrail agreed to convey the property to the County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), which leased it to the Syracuse, Binghamton & New York Railway (SB&NY) a subsidiary of Delaware Otsego, the parent company of NYS&W. The SB&NY in turn has operated OnTrack, using New York State funds for the necessary capital improvements.

http://www.smtcmpo.org/docs/reports/RailFinalReport2003-04.pdf

 

[CuseLegacy]

One of the newspaper articles says average of 2 trains a day use the tracks.

The newspaper is wrong in saying NYS&W owns this line (I am referring specifically to the Jamesville Secondary Track). It is owned by the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency, which leases it to NYS&W. I assume the lease include provisions that make NYS&W responsible for upkeep during the length of the lease. I bring this up just to point out OCIDA took ownership specifically to facilitate setting up the type of passenger shuttle service we are discussing here.

The New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway (NYS&W) is a regional carrier that started service in the Syracuse Metropolitan Area in the early 1980’s. The former DL&W line from Syracuse to Binghamton was proposed for abandonment by Conrail and subsequently taken over for operating purposes by the NYS&W in 1982. Conrail maintained the portion of the line from Jamesville to Syracuse and interchange of freight traffic with the NYS&W took place at Jamesville. In 1993, the Jamesville Secondary Track, which was the nine-mile segment from Jamesville to connection with the Conrail main line in Syracuse was put up for sale. As part of an effort to begin a passenger shuttle service, Conrail agreed to convey the property to the County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), which leased it to the Syracuse, Binghamton & New York Railway (SB&NY) a subsidiary of Delaware Otsego, the parent company of NYS&W. The SB&NY in turn has operated OnTrack, using New York State funds for the necessary capital improvements.

http://www.smtcmpo.org/docs/reports/RailFinalReport2003-04.pdf

Makes too much sense that there would be an agreement that NYS&W would be responsible for inspections and maintenance.

 

[orangecuse]

This was mid April.

Tax cut savings flow to company stockholders, trickle to hourly workers

Yeah, no surprise there. Again, it's what many top CEO's stated they'd do. At least you can give them credit for putting the $$$ where their mouth is.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

It may not pay for itself, but so what. It's an investment. Demanding that every public enterprise produce a profit is a fools errand. The library's not turning a profit either. Neither are the (non-toll) roads and bridges, or a host of other public institutions. The fact remains that transportation infrastructure is critical to spur private enterprise and tourism. I can't figure out why the City and County can't come up with a way to invest in a train/trolley to make it easier to get to/from downtown and the Dome.

Fewer people are going to the Dome. Not sure a rail would make a difference. We were not raised on mass transit. Hard to make the shift, culturally.

 

[reedny]

Fewer people are going to the Dome. Not sure a rail would make a difference. We were not raised on mass transit. Hard to make the shift, culturally.

This isn't about federal spending priorities, Capt. It's about "connecting" downtown and the Dome - making it easier for people to get to/from City amenities. AT one time, the City/County had a rail line running between downtown and the FINE lot and it was fantastic (the real "Elmira Express"?). Mass transit beats a traffic jam any day. You can have a few drinks and not worry, and it might just help with that "declining" attendance you cited.

 

[MadNY3]

Fewer people are going to the Dome. Not sure a rail would make a difference. We were not raised on mass transit. Hard to make the shift, culturally.

The train is for romantics.

An Uber with two-three people is cheaper any way.

Get with the Barbers offense and look forward, not in the past.

 

[reedny]

The train is for romantics.

An Uber with two-three people is cheaper any way.

Get with the Barbers offense and look forward, not in the past.[/QUOTE

Many people would happily chose a train ride over being stuffed in the back of someone's Prius. But if you're into that, god bless.