Grafton & Upton Railroad (G&U) Discussion

I saw that as well, along with several other interesting points. After reading the contract, it looks like the RR has a pretty good case.

Without further comment (the "bolding" is mine);

In the Terminal Transloading Agreement (public version), a copy of which was filed with the STB on January 31st 2013, the Grafton & Upton wrote:SECTION 1. CONTRACTOR OBLIGATIONS.
A. Transload Services.
(i) In accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and as
further described in the Railway's Service Terms and Conditions for Bulk Terminals, dated
February_, 2011, as it may be amended from time to time in the sole discretion of Railway,
upon l 0 days' prior written notice to Contractor (the "Service Terms"), which is incorporated
herein and made a part hereof, Contractor shall provide transloading and other services,
including, but not limited to, bagging of pellets at the packaging facility located at the Terminal,
relating to Commodities, as defined below, for and under the auspices and control of Railway at
the Terminal. This Agreement shall apply only to Commodities that are transported by rail by
Railway to or from the Terminal and to services provided by Contractor after or prior to such rail
movements.

You can view this document at: http://www.stb.dot.gov/filings/all.nsf/ ... 233762.pdf. I would post a copy but it exceeds the size limit for uploading to the forum.

Regardless of the Upton wood pellet or grafton propane facilities outcomes I still find sustainable hope for growth for the railroad. With the oncoming completion of the line to Milford they G&U stand to gain 2 new customers that it looks like CSX is trying to get away from having to serve directly. There is Saint Gobin in MIlford, and Rentex in Bellingham that both get railservice. CSX has to go "the long way around" to serve both theses customers and pay for haulage rights over MBTA and Amtrak rails to get there. When the G&U reconnects in milford I can see them purchasing the track from Milford to Bellingham. It would make cost effective sense for both rr's. Can't wait to see what happens

kt9797 wrote:Regardless of the Upton wood pellet or grafton propane facilities outcomes I still find sustainable hope for growth for the railroad. With the oncoming completion of the line to Milford they G&U stand to gain 2 new customers that it looks like CSX is trying to get away from having to serve directly. There is Saint Gobin in MIlford, and Rentex in Bellingham that both get railservice. CSX has to go "the long way around" to serve both theses customers and pay for haulage rights over MBTA and Amtrak rails to get there. When the G&U reconnects in milford I can see them purchasing the track from Milford to Bellingham. It would make cost effective sense for both rr's. Can't wait to see what happens

Maybe????

kt9797 wrote:Regardless of the Upton wood pellet or grafton propane facilities outcomes I still find sustainable hope for growth for the railroad. With the oncoming completion of the line to Milford they G&U stand to gain 2 new customers that it looks like CSX is trying to get away from having to serve directly. There is Saint Gobin in MIlford, and Rentex in Bellingham that both get railservice. CSX has to go "the long way around" to serve both theses customers and pay for haulage rights over MBTA and Amtrak rails to get there. When the G&U reconnects in milford I can see them purchasing the track from Milford to Bellingham. It would make cost effective sense for both rr's. Can't wait to see what happens

G&U isn't going to be purchasing any track there. The MBTA's 1988 lease agreement from Conrail for use of the Milford Branch for the Forge Park commuter rail extension has an exclusive purchase clause for the entire ROW to Milford that the T can exercise at-will. So most likely when CSX vacates they'll give the state a nudge to exercise that option and get the line off their books.

Supplemental reply filed by the G&U on 02/25/2013. (Cover letter shown).


Read THE FULL document at: http://www.stb.dot.gov/FILINGS/all.nsf/ ... 233844.pdf or click the image above. Document size exceeds this forum's upload limit. Sorry 'bout that..

To view THE FULL document; click the above image or click this link http://www.stb.dot.gov/FILINGS/all.nsf/ ... 233848.pdf. Or download a copy below.

Driving by the rt. 16 crossing in Hopedale on Friday, I saw new tracks waiting for installation - looks like it won't be long until Milford will be reconnected.

Steve

stvigi wrote:Driving by the rt. 16 crossing in Hopedale on Friday, I saw new tracks waiting for installation - looks like it won't be long until Milford will be reconnected.

Steve

Been there a month or so...lots of work to do before Milford is connected. Missing track in Hopedale and from Depot St to the CSX interchange. I'm hoping they do the Rt 16 work at night and dont mess up my a.m. commute!

Hey, this makes two of us on here from Millville !

New developments:

"DECISION GRANTED THE GRAFTON & UPTON RAILROAD COMPANY’S REQUEST TO REDESIGNATE ITS LEASE AGREEMENT, SUBMITTED UNDER SEAL IN THIS PROCEEDING AS “HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL.”



To view the entire document, click the above image OR click this link: http://www.stb.dot.gov/Decisions/readin ... /42931.pdf OR download a copy attached below.

"Request For Extension Of Time" [The petitioners]



To view the entire document, click the above image OR click this link: http://www.stb.dot.gov/FILINGS/all.nsf/ ... 233870.pdf OR download a copy attached below.

"Reply" [Grafton & Upton Railroad Company]



To view the entire document, click the above image OR click this link: http://www.stb.dot.gov/FILINGS/all.nsf/ ... 233876.pdf OR download a copy attached below.

if you read this, the import is that the udg wants no one to know how much they will be paid. there are 3 people involved. since the upton development group wants to remain closeted , i'm guessing the afflicted folk want to know who these people are so they can be harassed. probably unfair since the udg people signed up not recognizing the furor. as such, they are bystanders only. this is going to be a landmark decision by the stb. ken patrick

More developments... Note that for some of these, the STB's site does not provide copies of the actual document as of the original time of this posting [20:30 EST - 03/05/2013].

Comment [Petitioners]



To view the entire document, click the above image OR click this link: http://www.stb.dot.gov/filings/all.nsf/ ... 233901.pdf OR download a copy attached below..

Notice Of Intent To Participate (Without Comment) [Grafton & Upton Railroad Company]



To view the entire document, click the above image OR click this link: http://www.stb.dot.gov/filings/all.nsf/ ... enDocument OR download a copy attached below..

Comment [Frank S. DiMasi]



To view the entire document, click the above image OR click this link: http://www.stb.dot.gov/filings/all.nsf/ ... 233905.pdf This file exceeds the 2 mb. phpBB upload limit so I cannot provide a copy. Sorry!

Reply [Grafton & Upton Railroad Company]



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Don't touch that dial!

Latest STB..

DECISION SUSPENDED THE PROCEDURAL SCHEDULE IN THIS PROCEEDING PENDING FURTHER ORDER OF THE BOARD.



To view the entire document, click the above image OR click this link: http://www.stb.dot.gov/Decisions/readin ... /42973.pdf OR download a copy attached below..

why is G&U fighting discovery? I, for one, would like to see the economics surrounding this adventure. I'm of the opinion that town government needs the economics lest, in the advent of failure, the town would be saddled with restoration. Think about all the abandoned structures in our state. Will taxpayers eventually be held resposible for demolition and clean-up? Perhaps, after the stb rules no pre-emption, the town might consider asking g&u for a bond, if they satisfy all zoning issues. Ken Patrick

Thanks to Friends of the Grafton & Upton Railroad for posting on Facebook the support letter below from the Upton Board of Health to the "Surf Board".



To view the entire document, click the above image OR click this link: http://protectupton.blog.com/files/2013/03/image5.png.