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Lasiter
jailed, gets six months
Local vintners join opposition to building
hotel near Dayton
Candidates differ on gas price relief plans
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George is conductor of tourist train idea |
State senator proposes train from Sherwood to
McMinnville |
By David Sale, Newberg Graphic
reporter
E-mail David at
dsale@eaglenewspapers.com
|
Could a scenic railroad boost tourism in Yamhill County? That’s the
vision of state Sen. Gary George, who has recently put forth a such
a proposal.
George said he hopes to make use of the Lewis & Clark Explorer
train, which was used for summer excursions between Portland and
Astoria from 2003 to 2005 as part of the bicentennial celebrations
of Lewis and Clark’s Voyage of Discovery.
The train was mothballed by the Oregon Department of Transportation
last year, and was recently put up for sale by ODOT. Bids start at
$300,000, and the sale will close in August.
“The Napa Valley tourist train is a big draw for that area,” George
said. “Yamhill County could have its own authentic-looking, historic
train — we have folks all over the state who are interested, and I’m
hoping the governor will put the sale on hold.”
The proposed route would run on the weekends from Sherwood to
McMinnville, with stops in Newberg and Dundee. George said he
received an offer to provide storage for the train in Sheridan when
not in use.
Operations would be handled by Salem-based Portland & Western
Railroad, which owns the rail line that would be used. Presently
abandoned, the tracks would require additional money for repairs.
“The initial estimate was $12 million to replace all the tracks,
and bring the route up to (commercial shipping) standards,” George
said. “But to get it ready for tourism, with lighter loads and a 35
to 40 mile per hour top speed, it could be done for about $5
million. That would include 19 crossing guards along the route.”
Bruce Carswell, president of Portland & Western Railroad, stressed
that a precise figure for the track repairs had not been calculated,
saying “It could cost more.”
“We haven’t received any formal request to operate a passenger
train. Our primary business is hauling freight, but we’ll consider
each proposal on its own merits.”
While George will seek state funding for the proposal, he added: “I
expect there would have to be some corporate subsidy in the first
year or two of operations.”
One interested party is the Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde,
according to George. A spur line would take the train within a few
miles of Spirit Mountain Casino, with shuttle buses provided by the
casino to transport visitors the remaining distance.
However, the casino has not yet made an official decision on the
proposal, according to Brent Merril of its public relations staff.
Already a popular Yamhill County attraction, local wineries would
also stand to benefit from the proposal.
“We’re supportive of anything that encourages tourism in the area,
but it’s early for our members to have an opinion,” said Sue
Horstmann of the Willamette Valley Wineries Association.
Horstmann said that it would be up to individual wineries to
determine their level of involvement in the project.
Local government, while favorable, is also waiting for more detailed
plans to emerge.
“Conceptually, I’m very supportive,” said Newberg council member
Bob Andrews. “It has all kinds of merits.”
If the tourist train proves popular, George said he would work to
expand the service to a commuter rail system serving the county.
“This is a long-term issue, with respect to fuel prices,” he said.
“But with Tri-Met kicking off a Beaverton-to-Wilsonville commuter
rail line, it’s a real possibility in the future.”
Portland & Western previously operated the Lewis & Clark excursions
between Portland and Astoria, under contract to the state. The
company is a subsidiary of the railroad corporation Genessee &
Wyoming Inc. of Connecticut. |
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From
July 1,
2006, Newberg Graphic
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