Although it was a unanimously popular project with the previous Worcester County Commissioners, the excursion railroad that would run between Berlin and Snow Hill faces some uncertainty with this week’s installation of four new commissioners.
Warren, Pa., firm Stone Consulting presented a phase one feasibility study to the previous commissioners in November, and Worcester County Economic Development Director Bill Badger was directed to negotiate costs for a phase two study.
Badger said interest in the train began when leadership from Pennsylvania-based Strasburg Railroad visited Berlin last year.
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I rode a train from Berlin to Snow Hill about 20 some years ago, I was in my teens and still had a fun time. We then went on a water boat tour of the Pocomoke when we got off the train.
ReplyDeleteHas the tracks really gone that bad since then? I would love to take my kids on this, the closest we have come is taking a short train ride up in Baltimore near the Inner Harbor at the round house train museum, my kids loved it.
I have been watching this and hope it makes a come back. MPT could add it to their Train show they run since it will be operated out of America's coolest small town.
Shawn, (and others)
ReplyDeleteIt should NOT be up to TAXPAYERS to front a single PENNY.
IF someone wants to believe this will be such a great venture, let a private business step up and take ALL of the risks.
I am so sick and tired of these liberal feel good projects sure to lose money.
We are not in a position where we can take ANY more risks financially.
SHUT THE ENTIRE PROJECT DOWN.
10:47
ReplyDeleteJust to play devil's advocate, what if this public investment spurs additional tax revenue through increased commercial activity?
11:31, First of all, I have a NAME, unlike most.
ReplyDeleteShow me a public investment like this that has actually paid off on the Eastern Shore.
It's a load of crap.
Someone in government wants to help the railroad by having taxpayers upgrade the rails.
Anyone know who put together the train package that I rode back in the early 90's?
ReplyDeleteWhy not setup a non-profit foundation like they did for the Western Maryland railroad?
11:39 (and I'll happily supply my name)
ReplyDeleteUhhh the Seagull Century? The University? How about Wor-Wic? Festivals at Pemberton Park, the hundreds of events Ocean City puts on at their expensive Convention Center, events that Sussex County hosts, concerts at Sunset park, the Clam Bake is Crisfield manages to pay off somehow... shoot I could go on.
Now an example of this type/scale of project? You got me! I couldn't come up with a winner on the shore. No projects have ever existed as far as I know. I couldn't come up with a loser either.
And, since it is popular with the county commissioners (who are elected by the public), wouldn't you agree that it actually does have public support? It should be up to the tax payers to decide, and the taxpayers have made their decision it seems.
Who remembers the train that ran in the mid 70s for tourist from West oc to Berlin with a steam engine and 2 passenger cars this new idea will go the same as that went broke
ReplyDeleteIf they build it Thomas The Tank Engine will come!
ReplyDelete