[^][^][^][:D] August 5th the state of Wisconsin and Division Engineer Greg Guthrie ran an inspection trip over the Plymouth Sub. I think that this lends some credence to the rumors of the WSOR taking over this line. Also the Quad Graphics train is in Kiel for the weekend account the PGA tour stops on the Lakeshore this weekend. [^][^][:D]
Gentlemen:
I work for the WSOR, this is the latest I know.
WSOR tried to get CN to lease both the Plymouth and West Bend subs (read: CN owns track, WSOR does operations) but was flatly refused by CN. CN now wants to abandon Saukville-Kiel portion of line. WSOR, with state of Wisconsin, now wants to purchase same trackage, UP Kohler Sub, and Lease UP line to Sheboygan.
Suburban with WSOR plates is President of WSOR, (name withheld to protect innocent/guilty, depending on your take of things), most likely on inspection trip. Possible that President now has Hummer H2, not sure. Heard lots of talk that President visited most of UP line to Sheboygan, but so far just talk.
That’s about all that I know at this point.
Randy Vos
WSOR Engineer
Yeah, but what are the chances of UP giving up the line to anyone wheather its leasing or selling it. They coal is on that line, and soon to be in Manitowoc too. I’m sure UP would want it just for that, correct?
I’ve seen the Suburban in Manitowoc before. It made me wonder back then, but as always, nothing happened. I don’t count on it happening. It would be nice to see UP and WSOR work together to take over remaining CN lines though in the area. I hate CN!
[}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)] Supposedly there was a hearing involving abandonment of the Plymouth Sub today( 8/13/04). Anybody hear anything on how it went? [}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)]
I would sure like to know. The line sparked the Manitowoc Newspaper to print stories about the depots along the line and how they brought back so many memories. I will continue to try and find out what was said.
The STB approved the abondonment of the Plymouth Sub on 10/18/04. There are conditions for it…and currently the Pioneer Railcorp is looking into it. They might be taking over the line very shortly! I will try to get a link posted shortly.
Here is the link:
http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/dailyreleases
And here is the link to the newspaper article about Pioneer Railcorp:
http://www.jsonline.com/news/ozwash/oct04/267719.asp
Now there is talk about WSOR and Pioneer wanting the line that has just created a battle! WSOR says they would be better to serve the customers being local but Pioneer says they want to expand! What is going to happen next?
Well, here’s the latest on the Plymouth line (OFA from WisDOT and WSOR):
http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/UNID/BE6782D4571D01FA85256F3F0063F6D5/$file/35246.htm
Governor Doyle OKs purchase of rail line by state
Segment between Saukville and Kiel
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle has approved the purchase of a 37-mile segment of railroad that runs through Sheboygan County between Saukville and Kiel.
Doyle said he has directed the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to being steps to buy the rail line from Wisconsin Central Ltd. The line, according to documents, is valued at about $2.1 million.
Doyle said he was approving the purchase to preserve freight rail service and support economic development.
The state transportation agency, in conjunction with Wisconsin and Southern Railroad Co. has submitted an offer of financial assistance to the federal Surface Transportation Board to buy the segment.
“This rail corridor is important to the economic growth of businesses and communities throughout the region,” Doyle said.
The state DOT conducted an economic impact analysis that indicates the proposed abandonment could diminish job recruitment and retention efforts of economic development organizations and municipalities along the corridor, including Fredonia, Random Lake, Adell, Waldo, Plymouth, and Elkhart Lake.
Key findings of the analysis include:
n The seven businesses currently using rail service along the corridor reported their shipping costs would rise by $210,690 per year if they had to divert their freight to another mode of transportation.
n These seven businesses currently support 145 jobs with an estimated annual payroll of $5.8 million. Total personal income impact of these businesses is $9.7 million.
“The purchase will continue the state’s strong commitment to freight rail service throughout the state,” Doyle said.
On Oct. 18, the Surface Transportation Board approved the Wisconsin Central Ltd.’s application to abandon the rail line. The federal transportation board now has five days to review the financia
It’s been fun watching this whole thing develop over the past few months. The STB’s public hearing in Random Lake in August was well-attended by shippers and other people who wanted to see service on the line preserved. There was a lot of anti-CN sentiment in the room. No one spoke in favor of the abandonment. And it was very unusual that the STB even ventured this far out of Washington. I asked the lead STB attorney how often they did public hearings like this. The answer was “never!” But there had been an organized opposition, including local elected officials, so STB took the unusual step.
The Pioneer people filed a notice of intent to make an offer of financial assistance, but never followed through.
WSOR/WisDOT and CN have until November 26 to set terms for the line sale or ask for STB intervention. Maybe there will be some movement by the end of the year, but for now, CN is serving the customers between Saukville and Kiel.
Here’s a shot of CN’s train awaiting a fresh crew in Saukville last night:
Cheers,
Mike
Mike
Thanks for the update and insight on that hearing.
Nice photo. You should offer it to Eric as picture of the day. I think it is good enough to post without any “incentive”. (Bergie, Just kidding).
Jay
Great Picture! One of the best night shots of a WC that I have ever seen!
Long live the Plymouth Sub! Hopefully the WSOR gets the line, then moves in for Hilbert and then onto Manitowoc. May never happen as here in Manitowoc, we have a very profitable line with Anhieser Busch, Weyerhauser and a power plant that is currently getting a new boiler.
Seems odd to reply to myself, but anyway…
Looking over the STB website at lunch today (bleary, cloudy weather, so I didn’t leave the office to see if I could get another winning shot in the enormously popular “Trackside with Mike and Erik” series), I note the “Pioneer people” (their Decatur Junction Railway subsidiary) have filed a motion for extension of time to file their Offer of Financial Assistance, and CN/WC and WSOR have filed replies opposing the motion.
I wish Court TV was this exciting.
Well this is the first time I have ever heard in Wisconsin of two railroads trying to get the same line! This is great from my point of view but a railroads worst nightmare.