Hello Forum members,
Some good comments and a lively conversation regarding alternative operations on the “Mainline East of Ronkonkoma.” I offer the following to keep the discussion moving.
Noel writes:
Any notion of a tourist or steam train running on commuter train tracks is
pure nonsense. Commuters and other passengers will have absolutely
no interest in riding in a 40 year old coach probably with no AC and maybe no heat either behind an ancient steam engine.
Noel, I agree with you 100%. Let me state a disclaimer here. I am a Trustee of the Railroad Museum of Long Island but in this tread I am not tying the RMLI into the “abandonment discussion” in any way. As I stated in my initial post, the new transit authority would purchase NEW, RDC type, self-contained two or three unit passenger trainsets to operate east of KO. A discussion surrounding a “tourist” or “dinner” train operation on the North Fork is years away at best and not an element of this discussion.
Jay writes:
Why in the world would the county basically re-invent the wheel and provide service that is already being provided?
Jay, in one word: “money.” I think the bean counters in Albany have looked 15, 20 or even 25 years into the future. What they have seen is it will be cheaper to “re-invent” the wheel NOW than to try and increase MTA/LIRR service as the demand increases.
Point: Our current government policy is to “privatize” as much as possible. What better way to march to the “politicians mantra” than to contract with a company that runs shortline railroads around the country to come in and manage these LIRR branches for a County Authority. Not only will it not “bankrupt” the County, in this conservative landscape, I think it will be quite a popular plan. More frequent service, private contractor, weaker Union contacts or no Union at all, less money over the long haul! (Why did the MTA contract out what could have been their lucrative freight service?)
Point: The branch lines in question are in the best condition they have been in years. The track work performed since 1997 has the track and roadbed good enough for higher speed operation, only the grade crossing switch controls limit the road to 40 mph. The new contractor/Authority won’t have to spend money on major track repairs for some time. With more frequent trains traversing the North Fork, the 40 mph speed will be less of an issue, (my opinion).
Point: If you build it, they will come. The people are coming already. They are here! Peconic had stores and businesses by their station. The buildings are still there! Make it a whistle stop again and I dare say the buildings will be put to good use. The Blue Top in Cutchogue will be back in the swing of it as hungry travelers stop in for a burger and a cold one, (OK, I’m pushing it here – but if you reestablish the hamlet train stations, Aquabogue, Jamesport, Laurel, Cutchogue and Peconic, people and businesses will come to them. Riverhead, Mattituck, Southold and Greenport hamlets are all in walking distance of the stations. How about a USPS contract to move the mail between Riverhead and the East End? Southold, Greenport, Peconic, Mattituck and Riverhead Post Offices are all within walking distance of the station, a small van or postal truck could make a transfer several times a day.)
Point: Passenger train lines do not make money! Very true, but the demand for inexpensive public transportation is everywhere, and as more people move to the East End from urban centers that provide transportation, the demand will increase here. If the demand increases, the political will to spend the money will be found. Let’s face it – the public money is there! How to do it in a reasonable, politically acceptable way is the question. Could Fred Theile be casting out the answer????? (To generate additional revenue for the line, the Suffolk Authority would negotiate the freight contracts with the NYA.)
de Don, n2qhvRMLI