92 replies to this topic

[jagayman]

The wife and I experience a dinner train on the Mount Hood RR:

http://www.mthoodrr.com/default.html

It would be great if Folsom could eventually have something similar -- although maybe only Friday and Saturday nights if the draw is low.

Jason

[redman]

While I think it's a neat idea, I also think there are huge technical and bureaucratic challenges to getting this done, and the chances aren't great that it will happen. This railroad hasn't been in service for 30 years, so it's going to need a lot of work. Folsom has massively developed since it was in service, so now the tracks cross many roads, some of them major thoroughfares, and some at odd angles near intersections. They are going to need a lot more than $5 million, a lot of political backing, and a lot of signals and gates to make this work. But if they do pull it off, I would definitely ride on it.

[tessieca]

We'd ride it! I guess that's the most important measurement of success for an excursion train == will people excurse? It would be a wine train whether they liked it or not since no trip to Apple Hill is complete without a stop at local winery(ies) and/or Jack Russell Brewery.

[Redone]

[

How do I get involved in helping make this a reality?

Come up with 5 to 7 million dollars and 1 million per year thereafter.

[4thgenFolsomite]

[

Come up with 5 to 7 million dollars and 1 million per year thereafter.

What are you basing those figures on? I don't think any excursion railroad in the nation costs taht much. The city already has control of the right-of-way. The FEDS are an all volunteer group. It wouldn't cost nearly that much, I believe. And its a really neat thing. There is a similar railroad in Woodland too. Northern Electric, I think. But they run diesel cars on it now. Very cool. People love it. I think the Jamestown railroad group does excursion rides. All highly popular. But all naysayers should get a free ticket for a ride, I say. The more the merrier!

[Redone]

What are you basing those figures on? I don't think any excursion railroad in the nation costs taht much. The city already has control of the right-of-way.

I am basing it on FEDS estimate of at least $4,000,000 and assuming it will overrun on startup and will be in the red yearly. Plus the $4,000,000 assumes the City gives control of right of way and an area for repair shop for free. Much of tracks are rotten and crossings would need to be reinstalled. Traffic is already a problem without waiting for trains at Sibley, Riley, or Bidwell. Just something to Choo on.

[john]

Yes, the current rails have not been maintained in years. Many sections of track are in poor condition or simply gone, due to trees, landscape, or development. To get it to the point to get trains on it again would cost a lot of money. Just look at how much work it took light rail to get back in - they used the same right of way, but the track had to be totally thrown out and started from scratch.

[jafount]

I'd love it! I think there should be a quarter cent tax hike to help pay for it.

[TedJaduh]

I know it will be a great attraction to Folsom and will bring support to downtown as well as the communities in El Dorado County. I have walked a lot of the track and they look like they have actually been fairly tsken care of and are intact and will be reconnected with the old depot in Historic Folsom. There are a lot of ties that need to be replaced but in order to be a class one railroad(being able to operate at 10 mph or less) this track is closer than one might think. My family and friends are excited for it to happen we will continue to support the movement with money and even volunteer if necessary. The more people who are able to get behind this movement will help create it much faster. Someday we will look back and realize that we preserved a monument that really shows what America stands for and our commitment to our rich and amazing history.

[Kerri Howell]

The rails are in good shape up to a location off Latrobe Road, near Latrobe. I have taken a ride on one of the maintenance vehicles out to Latrobe. The ride is quite beautiful. The existing alignment extends all the way to Placerville. The alignment comes under the jurisdiction of a Joint Powers Authority, between Folsom, Sac County, Rancho and El Dorado County. I am currently the chair of that JPA (we meet quarterly in Folsom, at the City Council Chambers). The only sections of rail that have been removed are at a road crossing in El Dorado County (which I believe will be replaced) and there have been "obstructions" created on some large rural parcels in El Dorado County as well - by the land owners who mistakenly think they own the right of way. A few years ago, the City looked into purchasing some self propelled rail cars, which run on Ford truck motors - they are very quiet - and seat about 30 people (if I remember correctly). The City could have purchased 2 of them for a total of $136,000.00. I voted to purchase them, unfortunately, my colleagues on the Council did not - it was either a 4 to 1 or 3 to 2 vote NOT to purchase. The vehicles were then purchased by a Canadian group and the trains are operating somewhere in British Columbia.

Kerri

[Barb J]

I grew up in Napa and remember when they brought the wine train to town. Great idea on paper, but it was a traffic nightmare. The people get on in downtown Napa, the train goes all the way through town before crossing the highway and riding parallel with 29. Now, they have changed things around somewhat so that the highway goes under the train tracks, but before they did, it was just a "train wreck" pardon the pun!

Is the plan that people will embark on the train trip from Old Folsom??? I would suggest that this be done somewhere close to the edge of town (near Costco) to avoid further traffic problems....Folsom already has enough!!!! I understand that the idea is that it will bring people down to Old Folsom......but it might backfire and keep people away if they have to wait for the train several times a day to get there!

The main complaint about the wine train was that there were no stops at wineries. Just an upvalley trip with lunch or dinner, then back. I hope this isn't repeated if Folsom decides to jump on the bandwagon.

[john]

The only places it would really cross are on Blue Ravine, East Bidwell, and a few of the streets going up the hill. No reason a traffic light couldn't be timed so the impact is minimal... we all worried about light rail and it comes every 15 minutes (at least in one direction) and it's been a non-issue.

[Barb J]

The only places it would really cross are on Blue Ravine, East Bidwell, and a few of the streets going up the hill. No reason a traffic light couldn't be timed so the impact is minimal... we all worried about light rail and it comes every 15 minutes (at least in one direction) and it's been a non-issue.

Those are the two busiest streets in town!

But upon further consideration, I'm guessing it's going to take years to get this thing going, so by then hopefully the dam bridge will be done and it will lighten up congestion on Riley through Old Folsom.......then it won't be such an issue going through downtown. I was thinking, if you add on a bunch of tourists taking the train, to all the people having to try and get through Old Folsom you are in for a nightmare!
But by then we'll all be enjoying the dam road again!!!!

I think it would be fun addition and I would even go on it once or twice.....Resident Discount anyone??????

Barb

[mylo]

Those are the two busiest streets in town!

But upon further consideration, I'm guessing it's going to take years to get this thing going, so by then hopefully the dam bridge will be done and it will lighten up congestion on Riley through Old Folsom.......then it won't be such an issue going through downtown. I was thinking, if you add on a bunch of tourists taking the train, to all the people having to try and get through Old Folsom you are in for a nightmare!
But by then we'll all be enjoying the dam road again!!!!

I think it would be fun addition and I would even go on it once or twice.....Resident Discount anyone??????

Barb

Speaking of resident discount, why do Historic District residents have to pay for Folsom Live? Can I charge for parking and use the proceeds to buy my tickets?

[Buford T Justice]

Can I charge for parking and use the proceeds to buy my tickets?

yes