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« on: February 14, 2019, 01:33:50 PM »
I rarely enter into these "expansion conversations" but I am going to enter my two cents. When the railroad reaches 218 it will be about three miles long. For the average tourist, especially with children, that is more than enough of a train ride. Even though I understand why the railroad is expanding north to escape federal oversight, I always felt it was the wrong direction. To go north beyond 218 in my mind is a waste. It would require expensive crossing gates, expensive road crossing (thick boards would not suffice here), and would be limited to the next crossing. Beyond that would require another major crossing which would require the road to be raised and the fill replaced beyond that. All this would add another five minutes to the trip (both directions included). What would the attraction be beyond 218--more trees and a field or two? If there was a resort or tourist attraction to be reached which would produce more ridership, then I would feel differently.
I have heard stirrings of expansion southward. There are houses and 218 in the way with all the problems mentioned above with crossings, but to me would be the sensible way to go. Theoretically, when the railroad reached Wiscasset, with proper parking and promotion, the passenger numbers could greatly expand. There would be no need to build a trestle or have a yard where the original was located. Just put the tracks west of the current wide gauge ones. There would have to be a little filling on the mud flats with its attendant permits, but considering what the railroad has done up to now, it isn't insurmountable.
Looking forward to SWW and all the progress since last fall.
Bernie