By Delegates Love, Ryan and Fragale:
H. C. R. 26--"Requesting the Board of Directors of CSX
Transportation, Inc., to reconsider its decision to abandon the
Bergoo to Tygart Junction rail line and to withdraw the
abandonment application currently on file with the United States
Interstate Commerce Commission."
Whereas, Cass Scenic Railroad has been a valuable component
of West Virginia's history, economy and touristic appeal since
the beginning of the century; and
Whereas, Cass Scenic Railroad was previously linked to the
national rail system through the Durbin Branch rail line which
was abandoned by CSX Transportation, Inc., in 1985; and
Whereas, Due to the pending abandonment of the Durbin Branch
by CSX, the State of West Virginia sought construction of a
connector track from Old Spruce on the Cass Scenic Railroad to
Spruce on the Bergoo to Tygart Junction section of Western
Maryland rail line of the CSX system; and
Whereas, The connector track was constructed by the State of
West Virginia at a cost of $1,305,547; and
Whereas, Such construction cost included $37,000 paid directly
to CSX for making the connection to the track which CSX owned;
and
Whereas, Such construction was completed less than four years
ago, yet CSX Transportation, Inc., in turn, announced the
proposed abandonment of the Bergoo to Tygart Junction rail line
to which the Cass Scenic Railroad had just been linked; and
Whereas, Abandonment of the Bergoo to Tygart Junction line
would leave the Cass Scenic Transportation without a connection
to the national rail system; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Board of Directors of CSX Transportation, Inc., is
hereby requested to reconsider its decision to abandon the Bergoo
to Tygart Junction rail line and to withdraw the abandonment
application currently on file with the United States Interstate
Commerce Commission; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
is hereby directed to forward a copy of this Resolution to the
Board of Directors of CSX, Transportation, Inc.