112 replies to this topic

[Carl G]

There's a point where history becomes clutter and preserving it becomes hoarding. You CANNOT ride a train all the way to Placerville. The tracks are not in good enough shape for that. I have no problem with the little sections here and there but not allowing hikers and cyclists to use the majority of rail that isn't being used is asinine.

P&SVRR is actively working on repairing the tracks. Here is a shot from last summer of them doing the work:
 TrackRepair.jpg   62.61K   10 downloads
The tracks have been ignored for years, so it will take a little time to fix them.
Save the rails and the history of this area.

[Folsom_Blues]

Open up the trail. Rail historians have been promising excursion trains for years and have not delivered. Once a multi-use trail is opened, it will allow many to see the beautiful countryside and create economic opportunity to businesses along the corridor. And all of the history can be captured along the way. Running a train way past it's economic feasibility doesn't do anybody any good. Does the Powerhouse still provide electricity? No! But we have preserved the history and people can learn from it. Old, useless and unmaintained tracks do nothing to add to our region.

So, open up the corridor to USERS and provide a walking/biking history of the rail that existed there. Please stop pretending that dumping tons of money into the rail will somehow make it viable.

[Carl G]

Open up the trail. Rail historians have been promising excursion trains for years and have not delivered. Once a multi-use trail is opened, it will allow many to see the beautiful countryside and create economic opportunity to businesses along the corridor. And all of the history can be captured along the way. Running a train way past it's economic feasibility doesn't do anybody any good. Does the Powerhouse still provide electricity? No! But we have preserved the history and people can learn from it. Old, useless and unmaintained tracks do nothing to add to our region.

So, open up the corridor to USERS and provide a walking/biking history of the rail that existed there. Please stop pretending that dumping tons of money into the rail will somehow make it viable.

P&SVRR is a non-profit organization and it hasn't cost you a single dime for what they are doing. Can the same be said if the tracks are ripped up and paved over?

[4thgenFolsomite]

Open up the trail. Rail historians have been promising excursion trains for years and have not delivered. Once a multi-use trail is opened, it will allow many to see the beautiful countryside and create economic opportunity to businesses along the corridor. And all of the history can be captured along the way. Running a train way past it's economic feasibility doesn't do anybody any good. Does the Powerhouse still provide electricity? No! But we have preserved the history and people can learn from it. Old, useless and unmaintained tracks do nothing to add to our region.

So, open up the corridor to USERS and provide a walking/biking history of the rail that existed there. Please stop pretending that dumping tons of money into the rail will somehow make it viable.

far more people will be able to see the beauty and history of the area by train then they could by bike or hiking. Only the hardiest of people will want to ride or walk that trail. Lots of old and young and disabled will be able to ride the trains to see it though. It is true it will be expensive to redo the working line, but preservation is about the future too, not just the present. There are many many hiking and biking trails around, but very few for railroads. I think we need to preserve it and make it multi-use. no reason it can't be both.

[Folsom_Blues]

As part of a larger cross state trail, this will be a huge boon to the economy. The vision includes connecting Lake Tahoe with San Francisco. Hardiest of cyclists? That's rubbish! You do know that rail corridors grades are kept at a gentle 2%? And offering excursion trains every two weeks at 18 bucks a pop isn't helping anyone. Open up the trail.

[4thgenFolsomite]

As part of a larger cross state trail, this will be a huge boon to the economy. The vision includes connecting Lake Tahoe with San Francisco. Hardiest of cyclists? That's rubbish! You do know that rail corridors grades are kept at a gentle 2%? And offering excursion trains every two weeks at 18 bucks a pop isn't helping anyone. Open up the trail.

I'll tell my 82 year old mother that the grade is only 2 percent. I'm sure she'll get right on that! Also my friend's five-year-old that loves the train. "Just a few more miles to go, kiddies! Keep peddling!"

Seriously though, there is no reason it can't be shared by all. I have heard about the SF to Lake Tahoe bike trail before. This can be part of it. Huge boon to the economy? I don't think so. It would be akin to the Pacific Crest trail at best. And prices aren't always that high. With strong well-funded management, it would drop in price and increase in frequency. For young and old and weak and strong! Trains are cool and there aren't many tracks at all left.

[chris v]

It won't even be close to the pacific crest trail. This goes through many towns in a very short distance. Users will connect different spots and add to the local economy.

Also, I don't even want to think about a five year old that couldn't peddle a few miles. That's absurd if they couldn't do that.

[Folsom_Blues]

Your mother wouldn't be able to handle the ARBT either. Should we tear that out and put in a moving sidewalk instead? I've heard parents were terrified of the condition on the PVSRR train and clutched their kids tightly so they wouldn't fall out.

Right now there aren't any safe connections for cycling between Shingle Springs and Folsom. Assuming people will only ride for recreation along this corridor and therefore all trails are fungible is a weak argument. More and more people are traveling by bicycle and spend lots of money everywhere they go.

$18 to go 2 miles versus $2.50 to go 32 miles on light rail? Which is a better investment?

[4thgenFolsomite]

Not trying to get your dander up, just showing the flipside. I have some great photos of "terrified parents and kids" on the PSVRR trains. I wish I knew how to post photos!!

by the way, my mom LOVES taking the PSVRR trains!

[Dude]

If memory serves me right, I took my toddler first in 2009 to the annual train ride in front of Bel Air. Although it didn't go this far, here's a video of it going to just West of Shingle Springs

[Folsom_Blues]

Also, this would be for wealthy families only. $60 for a family of four is not cheap by any means for a brief amount of entertainment. A trail would allow that same family of four to ride where they choose and spend money at a local business. Not to mention the trail would offer access at all times, not just pre-determined schedules.

It's time to end the charade. Excursion rail will never be feasible along this corridor. And people keep saying "Use the other trails." Why should the people of El Dorado COunty have to pack up their bikes and drive to Folsom to get in safe riding? They want to ride safely with their families in their own neighborhoods.

Up until this year, I was always encouraging trail and rail to co-exist. But it's clear the rail advocates want all or nothing, so I think they should get nothing.

[SunshineServices]

Also, this would be for wealthy families only. $60 for a family of four is not cheap by any means for a brief amount of entertainment. A trail would allow that same family of four to ride where they choose and spend money at a local business. Not to mention the trail would offer access at all times, not just pre-determined schedules.

It's time to end the charade. Excursion rail will never be feasible along this corridor. And people keep saying "Use the other trails." Why should the people of El Dorado COunty have to pack up their bikes and drive to Folsom to get in safe riding? They want to ride safely with their families in their own neighborhoods.

Up until this year, I was always encouraging trail and rail to co-exist. But it's clear the rail advocates want all or nothing, so I think they should get nothing.

Actually if you had gone to a meeting or two you would find the exact opposite to be true. The PSVRR is doing everything it can to coexist. It is the TRAIL PEOPLE who want the corridor to themselves. Facts only please.

[SunshineServices]

It's time to end the charade. Excursion rail will never be feasible along this corridor. And people keep saying "Use the other trails." Why should the people of El Dorado COunty have to pack up their bikes and drive to Folsom to get in safe riding? They want to ride safely with their families in their own neighborhoods.

Well why don't the fine people of El Dorado County get up off their fat butts and build their OWN trail like their forefathers before them did?

[The Average Joe]

Sixty dollars for a family of four is for the wealthy? Compared to what?

A day on the lake? Gas, entry fee, launch fee, food. Filling the boat alone is 130.00

Movies for four? Forty bucks or more to get in, and exorbitantly prices munchies and drinks. Pretty easy to blow through sixty bucks.

Dinner for four? Sixty would be nice.

Camping? Site fees, food and drinks, firewood, gas, etc. At least sixty.

Parking lot carnival? Figure way more than sixty if your kids ride rides.

Sure, trails are free. That's great. We have miles and miles of fantastic trails to enjoy. Restore the train line and have both.

As an added observation, it seems to me there is a subset of cyclists in this town that has disregard for anything not on two wheels. You know the ones...they speed down the trails in pace lines, curse at people "in their way", run people off the trail, cut across/hold up traffic flow, and generally give cyclists a bad name.
Hey RacerX, not all folks are in a hurry to race by the sights, sounds and smells of nature and wildlife. Did you notice the signs of beavers as you zoomed by at 25 mph? Catch the owl hidden through the trees? See the heart shaped tree trunk?
You want to race in a pace line or pack? Fine. Do it where appropriate.
Rant done..