(Aug. 24, 2017) Although as recently as December it appeared a proposed excursion train linking Snow Hill and Berlin might have fallen through the proverbial train tracks, hope was recently rekindled at a meeting with town, county and state officials last Wednesday during the Maryland Association of Counties Summer Conference at the Ocean City convention center.
In attendance were Snow Hill Mayor Charlie Dorman and Berlin Mayor Gee Williams, as well as Maryland and Delaware Railroad Vice President/General Counsel Cathrin O’Donnell. Also on hand were Worcester County Commissioners Jim Bunting, Bud, Church, Diana Purnell and Chief Administrative Officer Harold Higgins.
Dorman said, although Gov. Larry Hogan did not attend, numerous members of his cabinet, along with two deputy chiefs of staff, were present.
Williams said developing the excursion train project is dependent upon reaching an agreement with Tyson Foods to ship product from its feed mill on Bay Street in Snow Hill to Frankford, Delaware by freight train.
“That’s the prerequisite for the excursion train initiative to even be possible,” he said. “The whole concept is moot without the freight service.”
O’Donnell said the railroad, which has lacked freight partners on the 26.9 mile stretch of track south of the interchange in Frankford since 2012, would need to perform infrastructure repairs before reestablishing the shipping route.
“The railroad feels like were offering a wonderful opportunity to all involved parties,” she said. “We are ready to do our part, but we can’t do it alone.”
Williams said the train projects, which have been discussed for several years, appear to be back on track.
“It was a pivotal meeting in this whole process,” he said. “My experience has been that it started off with a head of steam, [but] over the last year and a half there was doubt from some corners if this was worth pursuing.”
Repairing and upgrading the more than 26 miles of track is estimated to cost approximately $4.5 million, Dorman said.
“We’ve got $3 million that’s guaranteed,” he said. “We’re looking for the next million and a half.”
If sufficient capital is secured, Dorman said railroad officials have estimated the tracks could be functional within a year.
O’Donnell said the Maryland Department of Transportation is providing $2 million in grant funding, while her organization is pledging $1 million.
“We are committed to do our part to make it a reality,” she said.
In terms of next steps, Dorman said he would continue to partner with Williams and O’Donnell, as well as county and state officials to keep the project on point.
“We all left the meeting with a chore to do,” he said.
Reaching an agreement with Tyson is the most immediate goal, Dorman said.
“We can’t do one without the other,” he said. “What we’re looking for is to run the train, both commercial freight and passenger, from Frankford all the way to Snow Hill.”
In addition to negotiating with Tyson, Dorman said the enterprising mayors would also need to source an excursion train operator.
“Gee and I would have to hire, along with the railroad’s permission, a person that would do the actual tourist train,” he said. “They would come with their engine and … it would be approved by both towns and the railroad.”
Although up to a million in additional infrastructure costs would be required to provide passenger train service, O’Donnell said the excursion train would generate more than $17 million annually and create more than 450 year-round jobs.
“We’re committed to do our part to make it a reality,” she said.
The project would link Berlin, Snow Hill and Ocean City, while providing a big boon for the county, Dorman said.
“If it’s raining in Ocean City, get on the train and let’s take a ride,” he said. “In my perspective it would put Snow Hill on the map.”
Williams said last week’s meeting provided renewed vigor for the long talked-about train projects.
“It was a good, honest, open conversation,” he said. “Everyone came away saying this won’t be easy, but is definitely worth the effort.”
In attendance were Snow Hill Mayor Charlie Dorman and Berlin Mayor Gee Williams, as well as Maryland and Delaware Railroad Vice President/General Counsel Cathrin O’Donnell. Also on hand were Worcester County Commissioners Jim Bunting, Bud, Church, Diana Purnell and Chief Administrative Officer Harold Higgins.
Dorman said, although Gov. Larry Hogan did not attend, numerous members of his cabinet, along with two deputy chiefs of staff, were present.
Williams said developing the excursion train project is dependent upon reaching an agreement with Tyson Foods to ship product from its feed mill on Bay Street in Snow Hill to Frankford, Delaware by freight train.
“That’s the prerequisite for the excursion train initiative to even be possible,” he said. “The whole concept is moot without the freight service.”
O’Donnell said the railroad, which has lacked freight partners on the 26.9 mile stretch of track south of the interchange in Frankford since 2012, would need to perform infrastructure repairs before reestablishing the shipping route.
“The railroad feels like were offering a wonderful opportunity to all involved parties,” she said. “We are ready to do our part, but we can’t do it alone.”
Williams said the train projects, which have been discussed for several years, appear to be back on track.
“It was a pivotal meeting in this whole process,” he said. “My experience has been that it started off with a head of steam, [but] over the last year and a half there was doubt from some corners if this was worth pursuing.”
Repairing and upgrading the more than 26 miles of track is estimated to cost approximately $4.5 million, Dorman said.
“We’ve got $3 million that’s guaranteed,” he said. “We’re looking for the next million and a half.”
If sufficient capital is secured, Dorman said railroad officials have estimated the tracks could be functional within a year.
O’Donnell said the Maryland Department of Transportation is providing $2 million in grant funding, while her organization is pledging $1 million.
“We are committed to do our part to make it a reality,” she said.
In terms of next steps, Dorman said he would continue to partner with Williams and O’Donnell, as well as county and state officials to keep the project on point.
“We all left the meeting with a chore to do,” he said.
Reaching an agreement with Tyson is the most immediate goal, Dorman said.
“We can’t do one without the other,” he said. “What we’re looking for is to run the train, both commercial freight and passenger, from Frankford all the way to Snow Hill.”
In addition to negotiating with Tyson, Dorman said the enterprising mayors would also need to source an excursion train operator.
“Gee and I would have to hire, along with the railroad’s permission, a person that would do the actual tourist train,” he said. “They would come with their engine and … it would be approved by both towns and the railroad.”
Although up to a million in additional infrastructure costs would be required to provide passenger train service, O’Donnell said the excursion train would generate more than $17 million annually and create more than 450 year-round jobs.
“We’re committed to do our part to make it a reality,” she said.
The project would link Berlin, Snow Hill and Ocean City, while providing a big boon for the county, Dorman said.
“If it’s raining in Ocean City, get on the train and let’s take a ride,” he said. “In my perspective it would put Snow Hill on the map.”
Williams said last week’s meeting provided renewed vigor for the long talked-about train projects.
“It was a good, honest, open conversation,” he said. “Everyone came away saying this won’t be easy, but is definitely worth the effort.”