Below are two new stories about this saga. It seems like we are set to loose another roundhouse and station in New England. On the positive side it looks like the town knows keeping a railroad running is important. It is just a shame that they could not find a better operator in the first place to avoid all of these problems.

Does anyone else have the feeling that the situation in Georgetown is a train running down a hill out of control and the wreck is just a matter of time?


http://www.bangornews.com/news/templates/?a=109437&z=12

http://belfast.villagesoup.com/Business ... ryID=31534

It sounds to me that the danger here is not in losing the whole RR, but just the historic buildings and yard on the valuable waterfront, which to me are the most important part of the whole thing. Undoubtedly there is some developer in line to make a mint from condos/etc. when the historic buildings are gone, and that developer has the ear of city government, eager to increase their dwindling tax base.

Burlington, Verrmont had the same problem some years ago until their new socialist mayor Bernie Sanders got elected and put a stop to it and the present Mayor Clavelle has also kept things in check. What would have been high-priced condos and hotels with private beaches on Lake Champlain is now pleasant public parkland for all to enjoy.

I'm a bit surprised that some local historical people in Belfast and the State of Maine have not spoken up for the RR buildings to have them declared historic sites. That might help put a kink in the developers plans.

There has been much said about this over on the Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum, and it tends to get pretty nasty. That said, I hope your impression of the Georgetown situation is wrong, even though I share it.

At least I managed to get to Georgetown last year to catch the prior operator. They were a class act and will be missed.

[quote="tomgears"]Does anyone else have the feeling that the situation in Georgetown is a train running down a hill out of control and the wreck is just a matter of time?[/quote]

I would be hesitant to attach blame to Railstar in Georgetown's case, as they are yet to be established there. For the moment, the problem lies with the politics of the historical entity which forced a reputable operator "out of the Loop", as it were..

Only time will tell how Railstar will fare in Colorado.

What you have with the B&ML is tantamount to the East Broad Top; a virtually intact railroad with original equipment.

The issue is the same, too: no one is capable/willing to come up with a viable plan to save the whole thing.

So, pieces get chipped away.

The B&ML is the most intact northern New England branchline outside of the B&M Conway Branch. It is a prime candidate for total preservation. The line features original online structures representing core businesses of Maine's heritage including fishing and dairying.

While interpretation of its MEC days may be tough, the B&ML circa 1950 is entirely feasible to restore and interpret.

Belfast and the State of Maine have yet to realize that the industrial tourism is good tourism. Would Jim Thorpe, PA have come back if the railroad was lifted to allow condos to built along the Lehigh?

Rob

Bob,

I think there are still plans to remove the VRS from the waterfront. No solid proposals have been made as to what will happen to the yard and roundhouse.

Rob

I agree with almost everything that was said here about the B&ML except for the phrase of it being "intact". I vacationed in the area many times, as recent as last year, and the infrastructure of the RR has deteriorated in many places. I don't think the entire RR can sustain tourist operation. It's sad to see what used to be, and I recall the remains of what was a large grain mill on the line, and several other structures, although unique, in real danger of condemnation through years of neglect.

This operation is obviously at a crossroads, and I can see the Belfast politicians desire for that waterfront property, as it stands right in the middle of the predominantly downtown/seaport area.

I wish these people luck, I heard them speak at the DownEast Rail Transportation seminar in Owls Head last March, and they seemed sincere, but it seems they may have bitten off more than they can chew.

I don’t know about condos, right next to an old chicken/feed place?
I completely agree that the Belfast is defiantly one of those classic New England railroad sights (Along with North Conway, St. Johnsbury, Whitefield....)

I think my dad - a former employee of the Belfast and Moosehead Lake during the 1980's put it best when he said the town just does not know what they have.

-Justin

I was in Belfast this morning. THe roundhouse, tiny as it is has been emptied of the derelict GE 70T Diesel. I gather this is up for grabs at this point. It is a wreck and has been cannibalized for just about everything it can give.

All this began years ago, when the railroad tore up a lovely little yard, capable of displaying acres of historic railroad equipment. When the Swedish ten-wheeler was brought into town, residents objected to the noise and possibility of cinders. THese things would have brought tourists downtown by the droves. Belfast is a lovely community which was spared the urban renewal sword in the 60's. Red brick buildings and beautiful shops and streets are classic Yankee coast stuff. The railroad could be a major artery, pumping money into the seasonal economy. But look at what is at work here: A railroad management that didn't meet it's obligations to the community and a community without knowledge of what it has along it's shoreline in downtown.

Boy, I tell you, there are places on the New England coast that would do almost anything to cultivate what Belfast has sitting in place.

Yes, the land will be developed, but I doubt for condos. There is a sewerage plant opposite the yard and an old poultry plant at the yard throat. No, it'll probably become a parking lot.[/i]

The present remaining Rutland/VTR railyard and roundhouse are south of the area I was speaking of, which was once the site of the first Burlington Union Station, plus the CV's old freight yard. The CV officials wanted to make a mint off this land by selling it to private developers, but were thwarted by an old clause which said the filled land the yard was built upon would revert to the city if the RR did not use it for RR purposes anymore. They went to court over it and eventually agreed to an arbitrator's decision on the amount paid to the CV by the city. Unfortunately for the foolish RR officials, the deal was that the arbitrator would either choose the RR's offer or the city's, with no in-between. The city made a low offer and the RR made their demand ridiculously high, and of course they lost.

At present, it does not look like the planned VRS yard in Rutland is making much headway, and I know that the roundhouse and other old buildings along the waterfront have been studied historically. I think if the RR did leave, the roundhouse would not be demolished, though it would be up to a local group to see that it became a rail museum and not a rail-themed restaurant. I don't live up that way anymore, so can't get too involved in their affairs.