Relocation

[Josh Botting]

This story was on the news tonight:

http://www.wmtw.com/video/26457048/detail.html


jkb

[John Kokas]

The Portland spokesperson seemed to me to be very "measured" in her support for the RR.  I wonder if that is a reflection on the true level of support (or lack of) from Portland itself.  Only time will tell.  Its such a shame that they are caught between the rock and preverbial hard-place.

[Glenn Christensen]

Thanks for the URL Josh!  It was well worth taking in.

Here's a story I found in "The Forecaster" that you might find interesting.  The URL is:

http://www.theforecaster.net/content/pn-narrowgauge-011211


Best Regards,
Glenn

[Eric Larsen]

Are they still realy considering Gray, Maine when they could have Bridgeton?  Why?

[Wayne Laepple]

"Are they still realy considering Gray, Maine when they could have Bridgeton?  Why?"

Interstate highway access, between two major population centers. Next question?

[Stephen Hussar]

Did he say, "3-hour round trip" in that piece? 

[Wayne Laepple]

That's what I heard, too.

[Dave Buczkowski]

Either he meant 3 miles or it's a really, really slow ride.

[Mike Fox]

3/4 hour trip maybe? I thought their schedule was something like that. What amazes me though, 25,000 paying riders, but only 2,500 visit the museum. Too bad they couldn't get the rest of them through the door.

[Ira Schreiber]

A little math correction. The museum is free, the train ride costs. The 2,500 did not ride the train but did visit the museum. The round trip is 3 miles and the 40 minutes is correct.
Ira Schreiber

[Bill Piche]

Museum's $2 now ($1 for kids), free w/the train ride (mostly to keep out the free bathroom seekers).

Like Ira said, the 2,500 were museum visits only.

[Duncan Mackiewicz]

Gray may well have interstate accessability and be between major population centers as Wayne noted but Bridgton is on route 301.  This is one of two major routes to North Conway, a very popular tourist town. Seems like this puts Bridgton between two major centers as well. At less than an hours drive from Portland, Bridgton might well be a better draw than Gray. I guess we will have to wait and see which area(s) will be the chosen one(s).

[Eric Larsen]

I agree.  Bridgton is on a major rout and I don't think it would be any less effective a location even though it is slightly further from Portland.  (Who goes to Gray, Maine for vacation - but lots of people go to the Bridgton area, or through it?)  The historic aspect will be a better draw for the hard core, historicaly oriented volunteers.

[Vincent "Lightning" LeRow]

One problem with Bridgeton is that there is only about a quarter mile of uninterrupted ROW.  Hannafords on one side and state highway on the other...  And then there's CMP...

Though it would be nice to see B&H equipment in Bridgeton again.

[Duncan Mackiewicz]

Actually, there is a great deal more than 1/4 mile of useable ROW. I have walked it and taken pictures. I seem to recall hearing from Bridgton Bill that Hannafords might not be opposed to an arrangement that would allow the Return of the Rails group to lay a narrow gauge track past/through their parking lot entryway. That would allow the running of track to the proposed field/venue to the side of the transfer facility that now rests on the original ROW. Now, if MNG decided to move some equipment to Bridgton and lay this proposed track, maybe one day track might again make it's way around the transfer facility to the still open ROW at Sandy Creek and then on to...Hancock Pond? The ROW is open most of the way although currently used for logging, snowmobiling, etc.