SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 21

(By Senators Dittmar, Anderson, Craigo, Ross,

Helmick and Sharpe)



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 tourist 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 one million three hundred five thousand five hundred forty-seven dollars; and
Whereas, Such construction cost included thirty-seven thousand dollars 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 Senate is hereby requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the board of directors of CSX, Transportation, Inc.