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Trains News Wire EXCLUSIVE: Railroad, county speak on eviction decision
A few months back the F&W’s website had posted Mr. Wilkerson’s explanation of the chain of events. It was very informative and certainly makes a case that VCTC is without a clue. If its still there, visit the railroad’s website and give it a read.
Why is the county wanting to terminate the railroad’s lease?
I hope the STB takes jurisdiction and reverses this decision.
Its a shame hopefully they find a home.
I have not heard any reason why Filmore wants them out? please try to move and not scrap your equipment to a location that will appreciate your efforts. Sacramento? i think union Il. would welcome your ex-CNW F-7!
Because the county commissioner wants to rip out the money making railroad with a non money making bike/walking trail.
Because Ventura County transportation Commission’s Darren Kettle is a prick. I can’t help but to believe that Mr. kettle wants to rip out the tracks and turn the right-o-way into a recreational trail. And it appears that both Santa Paula and Fillmore couldn’tt care less about the railroad.
they also want to build more new high end homes and don’t want to have a noisy messy railroad screwing it up for the developers. A friend of mine works for the county and this is what the secret back story is, apparently the commissioners will get a cut of each sale.
they also want to build more new high end homes and don’t want to have a noisy messy railroad screwing it up for the developers. A friend of mine works for the county and this is what the secret back story is, apparently the commissioners will get a cut of each sale.
they also want to build more new high end homes and don’t want to have a noisy messy railroad screwing it up for the developers. A friend of mine works for the county and this is what the secret back story is, apparently the commissioners will get a cut of each sale.
They also want to build more new high end homes and don’t want to have a noisy messy railroad screwing it up for the developers. A friend of mine works for the county and this is what the secret back story is, apparently the commissioners will get a cut of each sale.
in Ventura County there has been very little news coverage of the F&Ws on-going Battle with the VCTB. There was the initial news coverage and little since. On this website we can speak out and debate and pontificate of the plight of the F&W but until the general public of Ventura and surrounding counties as well as Hollywood Production companies become informed and upset at the impending loss then noting we say will make a difference.
in Ventura County there has been very little news coverage of the F&Ws on-going Battle with the VCTB. There was the initial news coverage and little since. On this website we can speak out and debate and pontificate of the plight of the F&W but until the general public of Ventura and surrounding counties as well as Hollywood Production companies become informed and upset at the impending loss then noting we say will make a difference.
in Ventura County there has been very little news coverage of the F&Ws on-going Battle with the VCTB. There was the initial news coverage and little since. On this website we can speak out and debate and pontificate of the plight of the F&W but until the general public of Ventura and surrounding counties as well as Hollywood Production companies become informed and upset at the impending loss then noting we say will make a difference.
If a bike trail was the issue here, it would be fairly easy to create a dual railroad/bike-trail right of way. The VCTC’s Darien Kettle claims he wants to pursue big railroad business with the Union Pacific and a plastic pipe plant, but that does not preclude the F&W’s operations. In fact, it strengthens them by gaining revenue to repair right-of-way and equipment. They tend to operate at different times, but even if they overlap, this wouldn’t be the first time one train had to wait on another.
Wilkerson claims that Kettle is blaming the F&W for other operating losses that it did not incur. His lease is not up for at least another 6 or 7 years. Kettle claims Wilkerson is spending more money than he’s paying. That sounds like a distraction from the truth, since the county was always responsible for some of the costs, and the lease wasn’t intended to cover all those costs. It’s a tourist railroad that brings business to the county, for goodness’ sake!
In other words, the stories do not add up. I’m betting that one of the following two scenarios turns out to be the real truth, but understand that this is sheerly conjecture on my part:
- Kettle is lying, and has plans for commercial or residential development that clash with the railroad or that use the railroad’s right of way.
- Kettle wants to operate the railroad himself, or give it to a crony, and seek Hollywood money.
Then again, it could be just plain and simple hatred for railroads on Kettle’s part. It seems to me that he should recuse himself from this debate and allow other commissioners to handle the case. When one person’s biases cause the termination of a railroad’s operations, it closes a chapter of history that usually cannot be re-opened.
The local judge ruled without input from the U.S. STB, which could easily be overturned in a higher court. I think this story is really just getting started. Either we’re going to find local
What Kevin Caldwell says makes perfect sense to me. The story as Ventura County tells it doesn’t. Why stop a viable tourist operation from bringing dollars into your community unless there is personal gain in it for the commissioners. The local supporters should be bringing this info to the media where the commissioners can be tried in the court of public opinion and run out of office.
Well said Mr, Roberts.
VCTC has struck a deal with a new operator. Read up on the last four Metrolink CEO’s, their current employer, and you can put the remaining pieces in place.
Well, If nothing else good happens, maybe the F&W’s rolling stock could be relocated to the Sierra Railroad. I’d hate to see all that equipment scrapped. Someday the yuppies & liberals will realize what a mistake they made in a lot of these “causes” they’ve touted, but by then it’ll be too late and nothing but unused and run down bike trails will be left because they’ll all be senior citizens(like we are now) and unable to use them because they too will get arthritis and osteoporosis and astigmatism and all the other crap that affects the human race nowadays. They have ruined the health system and some day they’ll wish to god they had been a hell of a lot smarter when they were young and had the chance!!!