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.