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Proposal floated to convert Fillmore & Western to bike trail
To lose the Fillmore and Western would be a travesty. The Fillmore and Western should be made into a state historical site. To lose the Fillmore in western would be to give up part of our state heritage.
Why would they even think to do that. A trail would not make them any tax money at all. Even if the rail line does only tourist and movir production stuff. Those would at least spend money there, food lodging and other stuff. A trail would not keep the area economy stimulated.
Is the county guy NUTS??? The railroad brings in more money and jobs to the communities than a bike trail could ever do! I agree; it should be made into a state historical site!
The railroad has been proven to be a viable operation - I mean, tourist operations can keep it going for quite a while (After all it’s THE Movie Railroad, apart from Sierra Railway) without any freight haulage.
The plastics plant in Santa Paula will be a great chance for the railroad to earn some extra cash and give it back to the state if need be.
But putting up a trail in place of an already successful tourist operation is a dimwitted idea. I’m hoping that the F&W is staying for good.
how much revenue would the bicycle people bring in? If this rail route is lost it will be a huge loss for every one.
how much revenue would the bicycle people bring in? If this rail route is lost it will be a huge loss for every one.
how much revenue would the bicycle people bring in? If this rail route is lost it will be a huge loss for every one.
Mr. Simons’ comment sums politics and politicians up in a word, travesty. Mr. Fredrickson sums up the result, spend tax money rather than create income. I hope there are some sane people left in Venura County that can guide the use of the railroad grade in a positive direction.
I wouldn’t be complacent about this threat. In New York the Adirondack Scenic Railroad is under attack by “environmentalists” and ski-dooers who think it would make a much better trail for them than the railroad.
There are abandoned railroads they could use, but no, they want the one with trains on it!
Somebody has lost their marbles. Converting an abandoned rail line is one thing, but an active tourist line? Come on. Tourist Train + Tourists=Revenue/Income, how hard is this? I think the F&W should be extended to the Metrolink station in E. Ventura if it hasn’t been done already and maybe even extended Eastward to connect with Metrolink in the San Fernando Valley. Or perhaps a regional commuter rail connector via Fillmore & Western during weekdays should be considered with Fillmore & Western Museum trains running on the weekend. I’ve never been to Fillmore, but I’d like to check it out and have heard of how successful it is and how popular it is with Hollywood.
I absolutely hate these “Rails to Trails” ideas. They are getting much too radical. Reminds me of Dr. Frankenstein harvesting organs before the person is dead. If the railroad is gone and will never come back, that is one thing. We have plenty of trails in America. What we all need is more railroads!!!
It’s the green
Leave it to the government to shoot itself and e everyone else in the foot I have lived in Ventura county all my life and think the. FW is a real asset.
I wouldn’t trust Mr. Kettle as far as I could throw him. These yuppies hate trains and mo matter what benefit the railroad would provide, they want them removed so they could enjoy their “tranquility”. Selfish!
Gee, I wasn’t aware that any part of Southern California WANTED to give up any part of the movie industry. Here in Pittsburgh, we are trying VERY hard to grab ANY piece of the film industry that we can. I’m sure some enterprising railroad people in California, maybe the same folks running the Fillmore and Western can find somewhere else to run a railroad that caters to Hollywood, and the local economy THERE can then benefit from it.
Gee, I wasn’t aware that any part of Southern California WANTED to give up any part of the movie industry. Here in Pittsburgh, we are trying VERY hard to grab ANY piece of the film industry that we can. I’m sure some enterprising railroad people in California, maybe the same folks running the Fillmore and Western can find somewhere else to run a railroad that caters to Hollywood, and the local economy THERE can then benefit from it.
The Western Maryland Scenic RR, from Cumberland to Frostburg, is a good example of Mr. Saunders’ suggestion of side-by-side rails and trail. There are others, as he says. Filmore & Western, don’t let those durn’d rascals take the deed to yer property!!
POLITICS VS COMMON SENSE.
Leave the rails alone. If they want a bike trail, let them build it in conjunction with the rails, not as a replacement for the rails. Many dual projects exist in this country where rails and trails exist side by side… It doesn’t need to be “either or”. Both can be had…