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Georges Creek Railway Abandonment
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Author:  Eric S Strohmeyer [ Thu Mar 05, 2020 12:38 am ]
Post subject:  Georges Creek Railway Abandonment
Good evening all,

I just wanted to ask a quick question about the recent filing by the Georges Creek Railway to abandon their line north of Moscow. Since I know Mr. Altizer and others associated with the line often post here, I figured someone who is "in the know" might be able to provide an answer.

Is there any plans to consider possibly rail-banking the line (via an interim trail use agreement) north of the washout?

I know that virtually all of the coal traffic has dried up, and there is currently very limited demand for coal reserves still located along the line. I know Gerald long hoped to be able to restore service north of the washout, but without any commitment from a shipper to use the line, I can appreciate the decision to liquidate the asset. The loss of the paper plant traffic in Luke has further drained revenue, so it makes sense to scrap the line north of the washout in order to keep the rest of the system viable for a bit longer.

Notwithstanding the economic realities of the line, I do know that this was likely not the decision Gerald would have made if given a choice. However, a rail-trail might make some sense, and keep the possibility of restoring the line at some point in the future. I'm just curious to know if that outcome might be a possibility.
Author:  Tim Moriarty [ Sun Mar 15, 2020 5:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Georges Creek Railway Abandonment
Perhaps related, perhaps not, but I noticed the GCK is no longer listed in The Pocket List of Railroad Officials, and its website at

http://www.wmwestsub.com/connellsvillesub/gckrail.html

which can be found as a link at the Wikipedia page on the company at

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Creek_Railway

is no longer active.
Author:  Alexander D. Mitchell IV [ Sun Mar 15, 2020 11:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Georges Creek Railway Abandonment
Tim Moriarty wrote:
Perhaps related, perhaps not, but I noticed the GCK is no longer listed in The Pocket List of Railroad Officials, and its website at

http://www.wmwestsub.com/connellsvillesub/gckrail.html

which can be found as a link at the Wikipedia page on the company at

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Creek_Railway

is no longer active.


Go here:

https://wmwestsub.us/

Quote:
This site is maintained in memory of its original owner: Jeremy Cooper, who sadly passed away in 2019. We would like to thank Jeremy for his hard work in building this definitive WM resource and are excited to preserve it for the future. - Ed Kapuscinski & Gerald Altizer
Author:  Eric S Strohmeyer [ Mon Mar 16, 2020 2:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Georges Creek Railway Abandonment
Good evening everyone,

I'm glad to see that the wonderful Western Maryland website Mr. Cooper created has been preserved and remains available online.

For those who have not seen the regulatory filings, this link should take you to the specific Notices of Exemption for the line in question which were filed by Georges Creek Railway (STB Docket# AB 1294 X) and the underlying property owner, Eighteen Thirty Group LLC (STB Docket# AB 1293 X). See:

https://dcms-external.s3.amazonaws.com/ ... /50138.pdf

I was sorry to see this when it came out, but not surprised. I do wish the Georges Creek Rwy team well, and hope that they will be able to grow business on the remaining segment of the line. Like I said before, I know the decision to "throw in the towel" and abandon the line was not an easy one for the principals involved.
Author:  superfleet [ Mon Nov 22, 2021 1:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Georges Creek Railway Abandonment
I noticed that the two former Western Maryland locos (an SD35 and a SD40) are available, don't know if he is selling them or just trying to lease them out to earn their keep. I was very happy to see Gerald restore them, hope he is still doing well and his railroad aspirations are still viable.
Author:  Nova55 [ Mon Nov 22, 2021 4:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Georges Creek Railway Abandonment
The 7436 and 7471 were already sold to Precision Locomotive, who is re-leasing or selling them to interested parties.
Author:  Dave Albright [ Mon Nov 22, 2021 6:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Georges Creek Railway Abandonment
Both are currently being stored on the WMSR in Cumberland.
Author:  superfleet [ Mon Nov 22, 2021 9:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Georges Creek Railway Abandonment
Very sad, evidently Gerald couldn't make it work; I fear those two gems of actual Western Maryland survivors will get sold and repainted, or graffiti-to-death and that will be the end of that. Very grateful for folks like him that take the effort to try to preserve the past.

Dan
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