BROOKS, Maine — For the last three summers, the rattle and chug of a slow locomotive has been heard with more frequency along the tracks of the former Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad in Waldo County.
The Brooks Preservation Society, a mostly volunteer group composed of retired railroad workers and train enthusiasts, has been working to have more excursion rides along the 30 miles of tracks that stretch between Belfast and Burnham. Now, the federal government has noticed their success and is removing the exempt status on all 22 railroad crossings on the line on May 18.
Removing the exempt status means that the five or so crossings with flashing safety lights will be activated when the train comes through. It also means that certain vehicles, such as fuel trucks, will always have to stop at the other crossings, too. Until now, the trains have stopped at crossings and a flagger has exited in order to stop traffic until the train passes safely by.
While the train enthusiasts say that safety will improve as a result of the change, not everyone in Waldo County is as pleased.
“I don’t think they have the authority to take the exemptions down,” said Duke Simoneau of Brooks, who is an outspoken opponent of the Brooks Preservation Society. “They don’t have any more right to use that right-of-way than any other citizen of the state of Maine.”
Joe Feero, founder and executive director of the Brooks Preservation Society, said that as the organization grows and increases the frequency of the trains, safety remains a primary concern.
“It’s not just a group of trainiacs, as I’ve heard us referred to, who go out and do anything we want,” he said. “Together, we make sure the passengers, the public and the volunteers are safe.”
The rail corridor is among the 550 miles of tracks in the state that are owned by the Maine Department of Transportation, but this particular line has been leased for several years to the Brooks Preservation Society. The group does not pay the state to be able to operate its two locomotives, vintage 1926 passenger car and open observation car on the tracks, but in exchange maintains the rail corridors, according to Nate Moulton, director of the Maine Department of Transportation’s rail program.
He said that removing the exempt status was not up to the Brooks Preservation Society or his department, but instead was a directive of the Federal Railroad Administration. Trains have the right-of-way over traffic, he said.
“For regular operations, even on an excursion basis, you cannot stop and flag,” Moulton said. “It’s federal law. I assume they’re doing it under a safety compliance thing.”
He said that several people have contacted the state, concerned that tax dollars are being spent to upgrade the signals, but that’s not the case. The Brooks Preservation Society has been paying for the signal upgrades.
Moulton also said that because the state still owns the rail corridors, and has the specialized equipment to do maintenance, a two-man crew from the department spends some time each year doing larger projects, such as improving culverts. Each year, he has a $150,000 budget that comes directly from railroad excise taxes that the department uses to maintain all the miles of tracks owned by the state.
“At the end of the day, it’s the state’s asset,” he said. “We want to make sure it’s in a state of good repair.”
For train naysayers like Simoneau, that might not be the best way the state can spend its time and money. He said that he would like to see Maine convert the railbed into a trail corridor, like the Down East Sunrise Trail in eastern Maine.
Recreational trail users might be more likely to be an economic boon to the area than train riders, Simoneau believes.
“The first thing that happens when people go into these towns — they’re going to drop cash,” he said.
But Moulton said that when the state purchased the miles of rail corridor, a primary reason was because lawmakers figured that it was important to preserve it for future rail or other transportation uses.
“To go out and build these things and re-create them — it’s huge,” he said. “The current use is rail, and that’s how we’re maintaining it. Not everybody agrees with that, but to maintain the corridor for any type of use costs money.”
For now, the Waldo County railway will continue to be used primarily on summer weekends, carrying train enthusiasts, tourists or families for a few miles through woods and along the river.
Last season, the trains carried 2,500 people. Most passengers rode the weekend train from the Head of the Tide in Belfast to the Waldo depot, but some charter trains run farther, according to Feero. The Brooks Preservation Society also runs the train from Thorndike to Unity during the three days of the Common Ground Fair in September.
He said that removing the exemption is simply a matter of common sense — and safety.
“Some may view it as an inconvenience,” he said. “But when suddenly you have a locomotive bearing down on you … it’s all about public safety.”
Took this train 2 summers ago. Great ride and glad it is still going.
Brooks Preservation has supported the use of the railroad right of way. The snowmobile club in Brooks uses the railroad in the winter to connect to the State of Maine trail system. Citizens in Belfast use the railroad for walking. The City of Belfast is considering placing a trail beside the track. Brooks runs a rail bike (bicycles that go on the track) program from Garden Variety at Thorndike. Fishermen use the tracks for to acces fishing spots.
Brooks supports access to the right of way as long as people do not do damage railroad property and are safe.
Brooks also does business and supports several small businesses in the community. They also work with other non-profits like the Grange and Historical Societies. They’ve made donations to other non-profits.
I’d say the tax payers get a great deal. The railroad is being used and maintained, mostly at no cost to the tax payers. Brooks appears open to exploring opportunites that allow public use (as long as it does not interfere with trains).
Brooks Preservation TRASHES the right of way. I’ll gladly share the same photos I gave the BDN (who failed to use them). They do NOT “encourage use”. That is a bold faced LIE. Those of us who own property along the right of way have been told by their “retired volunteers” that we can’t use our own property. They do NOT work closely with the snowmobile club. They annually try and keep them OFF the tracks. The anonymous poster above should identify if they are one of the out of towners who are the club or an actual citizen.
show the photos!!!
If I knew how to post it here I certainly would. If you go to the Facebook page for the Brooks Preservation Society they have pictures of the state crews. If anyone can tell me how to add to this page, they’ll certainly go up here till the BDN takes them down.
I only see them working on a crossing. Wouldn’t that be for the traveling publics safety and they would do that regardless?? according to the article that line is state owned??
Confusing.
Didn’t they hold a joint fundraiser with the snowmobile club a few years ago? I”ve seen pictures on their facebook at some point.
Great job!! Kids love to ride the trains, and its nice to see a group volunteer their time for the preservation of a rail line. Hopefully they continue to grow!!
Interesting you used all the pretty photos supplied by the rail club. But NOT the pictures of state trucks and crews working and not the piles of debris they dump along the right of way.They have photos of state crews on their own Facebook page and brag about it. If I piled old culverts and trash inn the dooryard the State would be complaining. These people trash the right of way and try to tell abutters what they can and can’t do with their own property.
It is my understanding that not only does the State own the tracks but they also own so many feet on either side of the track (30 or so I think).
The State owns the right of way, which is 100 feet wide in some places and 60 in others. If you go to the Brooks Preservation Society Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brooks-Preservation-Society/73665829385 you’ll see other photos of state workers and equipment. You WON’T see the photos I sent the BDN (their reporter appears to have done everything by phone) showing the piles of junk ties, old culverts and just plain JUNK that the “tenant” dumps along that right of way. BPN uses about a mile in Belfast. They lease their “railbike” station in Thorndike from their own Treasurer. And I don’t know how as a non-profit they can be donating funds to other non-profits. But they refuse to open their books to people so I guess it will remain a mystery.
Maybe you should attend the next BPS membership meeting and ask some of these questions directly to the board of directors. As with most organizations the meetings are probably open to the public. Also, I’ve read that BPS has donated tickets and special locomotive and caboose rides to non-profits holding auctions to raise money for their own programs. I also believe that BPS works with the local Booster Club in Brooks.
Actually I plan to make a formal request to review their books. Their three tax returns (two filed late) are online because they have to file federal 990 reports. Click on this link, type Brooks Preservation Society and the zip code 04921 . On the next page, click on their name and you can see them. BDN HAD this, but neglected to discuss the hundreds of thousands of dollars of “loans” from sources unnamed to them. And I don’t know how they can donate money to other groups if it has been given to THEM for their purposes. http://dynamodata.fdncenter.org/990s/990search/esearch.php
I will certainly check that out. The donations I mentioned, and as mentioned in a previous post, were not “monetary” but as “goods”. (free tickets and special rides)
They likely earn money from ticket sales. They probably failed to discuss the loans because it isn’t really any of your business. Do you make contributions to them? Are you a member? The IRS acepted the 990s, DOT does business with them, the link to the returns you displayed indicate they receive donations, someone must trust them and know what is going on. If I were them I would retain a lawyer and go after you for slander and liable.
of course they can donate to other non-profits. I work at a non-profit that regulary donates to United Way, thousands of dollars.
This defies logic. Why would a railroad that relies on scenery to attract people trash the area? I would think they would take extra efforts to clean up.
What is your issue? The newspaper article acknowledges the State provides assistance. They likely would be working on that railroad even if this railroad groups was not leasing it. I live in the area and I’ve seen the State working on the railroad when no one was leasing it. I know people who have seen the same equipment in Rockland on that railroad. The state owns 550 miles of railroad. I”m sure they help the others
There are piles of old ties all along that railroad. They look like they’ve been there for years. Most are cedar. There are odds and ends of culverts that were replaced decades ago. Having walked the rails near the station there is a large pile of metal that the railroad appears to have been picked up in an effort to the clean the area. There are markers where ties are being deposited.
They’ve taken measures to clean up the station located by Rt.7, it looks the best it has in years.
I”ve walked the tracks near your property. There is a large pile of debries from a field/pasture you constructed and pushed on to the railroad. When are you going to remove that so the railroad people don’t have to look at it?
I’ve been asked to watch out for trains when I”m walking. No one has suggested I was trespassing. Your own property? You don’t own property within the railroad tracks. You use your trails, you cut wood in that area, you get to your field using a crossing over the railroad. Where are they denying you access?
now that you mention it. I know some of the volunteers on the railroad and they mentioned that the Maine Forest Service citied someone in Brooks along the railroad for a pile of old tree stumps and such. Was it this guy that is comlpaing?
They also mentioned that someone called the DEP to complain. The DEP visited and found no issues.
I reclaimed three acres of pasture a year before the BPS existed and the slash was buried at the edge of my property. When BPS came into being, they sent a Forest Ranger to tell me it was a fire hazard. Buried decaying large woody debris. The Maine Forest Service regional office looked into it and found NO problem. It is not on the railroad. But since you and think911 are working under anonymous screen names and utilizing half facts and rumor, I’m just assuming you’re Trainiacs.
Half facts, do you not like when the “trainiacs” tell their side of the story? You’ve provided half facts. I support what BPS is trying to do so I guess I”m a “trainiac” . I do know a few of them. And no, at least some of the pile is on State of Maine property. Because it is State property you don’t have the right to deposit your slash pile. That large pile along the railroad is an illusion? Did you know the Maine Forest Service inspects the railroad right of way on every railroad every year? Might it be that your pile from pasture was found on a routine inspection and BPS had nothing to do with it? And if the pile was on the railroad don’t they ahve a right to complain? You’ve taken full advantage of your right to complain on this blog. I”d be curious what the Executive Director had to say in response.
I am with Duke on this one. Too much money has been spent on trying to upkeep a system that needs to go by the wayside. All the scrap steel that the tracks are could be sold and provide all the money needed to build and maintain a 4 season trail that would benefit the rest of the population. As it is now it only lines the pockets of the folks running this raggedy Rail road and of little benefit to the population at large. Do the folks that run the railroad even have liability insurance in the event some one gets hurt on their Slow motion excursions. I have seen the 60+ year old equipment and the deplorable state of the track system. These band-aid repairs and patchwork replacement is throwing good money after bad. Now the removal of the exemption will cost the school districts extra money on bus repair and the local Oil companies more wear an tear on their equipment having to stop for a train that will never come. The Rail road needs to be held accountable and disclose where all this state money is going, maybe then we can take them seriously. I like trains but the 4 season trail is needed much more for the economic growth of Waldo County.
The folks that run the railroad lines the pockets of the of the folks! Everyone is either retired or works full time. I know three volunteers who work more then 40 hours a week in a paying job. One that almost lost his house when he was out of work. Those people provide donations of money and time. Do you really think the State government and the Federal Government would allow those folks to run a railroad without insurance? If you’re going to make comments base them in reality and with facts.
The scrap steel on the railroad isn’t enough to support a trail, Exaggeration by you. How many tons of rail are in 30 miles of railroad? Did you do the math? Once you do the math subtract the cost of removing rail and preparing it for scrap steel. Did you know that the State paid a significant amount of money when a section of railroad was removed down-east? What about the legal fees associated with removing the rail, many landowners would rather the railroad be there.
Deplorable track? Are you able to inspect track? Certified to make a suggestion that the railroad is deplorable condition? How about railroad equipment, are you certified to inspect that? The Federal Railroad Administration, as stated in the article inspects the railroad. Do you have more knowledge then the Federal Railroad Administration?
It is fact that school buses are required to stop by law at railroad crossing, whether exempt or not. So they’ve been wearing out their brakes for approx three years. The train has been running or those three years. The oil companies often stop because of insurance requirements and/or law.
This economic growth you suggest from a 4 season trail….. The trail the runs through Newport. I do not see Newport busy with economic activity because of the former railroad being used as a n ATV trail. The rail trail in August attracts primarily locals. I for one do not want ATVs going through the backyard. I noticed snowmobile tracks across the railroad poperty (the station at Brooks, I beelive is owned by the BPS). They had to put a barricade to keep people off.
If you want a 4 season trail do we was done on the Sunrise trail, a trail was placed alongside the railroad. Now you have a trail and railroad that will attract more people.
I”m sure, as another commenter posted, if you went to a BOD meeting you would likely get the answers you seek. Call the DOT, the article provides you with the contact name. Duke posted a link to the financial records.
Actually – I DID do the math. With rails at 75 pounds to the foot (and two feet of rail per one foot of track), four spikes to the foot (2.5 pounds) , one plate to the foot (5 pounds) there are 415.8 tons of steel to the mile. Times 30 miles = 12,450 tons of steel. Current price for #1 (scrap) is $275/ton. So $3,423,750 as scrap. And since the contractor would take it up, remove the ties, grade & gravel the ROW 12 feet wide and repair/deck the bridges, the steel more than pays for it. On the Sunrise Trail, the rails were sold for more than scrap value to mines. There is no more rail on that corridor. The legislation that created it put the money back into trail creation. According to the Department of Conservation, the state CLEARED $25,000 per mile. Metal prices are much better now. This ROW intersects 3 ITS snowmobile trails and many local ones, an ATV trail, numerous hiking/biking trails and the East Coast Greenway. Is the track deplorable? When you walk along and only every fifth tie isn’t crumbling, what would you say? Oh – the BDN didn’t walk the rails and take their own photos. I MET with the Federal Railroad inspector. The condition of the track is why the speed limit is only 5 MPH. The State established IN COURT that they have the right to remove the rails and keep the right of way. They already paid for it and don’t have to pay again. There are multiple groups LOOKING for a way to link the trails that end in Unity coming up from the Sheepscot River area to Belfast. The Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition just held a seminar on it at the Library. Over 100 people in attendance. So yes, I have researched and worked at this for quite sometime.I have met with State Officials, met with Mr. Feero and done the research. The State officials I have worked with have all been diligent and professional.
I like the sounds of the trail. Although think 911 says we can ride it now.
I didn’t get that from 911 comments. I think that if BPS tried to charge every person walking on the railroad with trespass there would be lots of wasted tax dollars for the County. The police would be chasing railroad trespassers. Dukesimoneau is apparently trespassing.
Maine has a railroad trespassing law. It is illegal to enter a railroad right of way for any purpose. No one can overide that law.
In reading this news article and the following comments I’ve been trying to figure out what your beef is with BPS. Now it all becomes clear. You obviously want the tracks taken up for a snowmobile/ATV trail. I would think that having civil conversations and/or attending meetings ,as I suggested earlier, would get you further than trash talking BPS and trying to dig up dirt which doesn’t seem to exist. In other articles that I have read I have never heard BPS say anything negative about people who wish to use the railroad for other purposes. In fact, I believe they are working with the town of Belfast to develop a rail/trail so that everyone is happy. Jumping out of cars and snapping photos of things and/or people that you perceive as doing something wrong, without getting all the facts, doesn’t help with your credibility. Right now BPS has the backing of the FRA and the State DOT. That’s an endorsement you can’t argue with.
I think they were working with Coastal Mountain Land Trust as well.
Obviously you misunderstood the Federal Railroad Inspector. The inspector, to my knowledge visited this year, last year, and the year before. They haven’t shut the operation down so they must satisfy the requirments. The lease, which was shared with me indicates that they need to maintain the railroad to what is referred to as a “class 1”. I looked at the CFR and found that they can operate at 15 mph. I doubled checked that with a friend.
I’m a landowner along the ROW and I don’t want the trail you are speaking of. I will fight it. I know of four others who do not wThey own three parcels of land. I would guess that BPS would fight it as a land owner if the rails were to be removed. I want the railroad and a trail. Look at the issues the City of Belfast is having with trying to establish a trail. At least BPS has publicly acknowledged they support multi use railroad corridors.
Actually scrap #1 is 225 a ton as of this morning, I looked it up. On the Sunrise trail there is an active tourist railroad on part of the railroad corridor. The Downeast Scenic Railroad. They built the trail around the railroad.
The railroad wasn’t operating for years. You never took action during that time. BPS is trying to do their best to contribute to the County in a positive way. Why are you trying to slander a non profit trying to do their part to improve the community.
If you’re going to tell a story, tell the entire story. Brooks has been activey repairing ties. They’ve been activating the signals to ensure public safety, they contribute to the non-profits, businesses, inspectors have found no safety violations (apparent by they are still operating).
How much did that court case cost the State?
your math isnot right. The rails typically are measured per 3 foot. (yard)
yup, missed that his math was by foot. Rail is measured by yard. 75 lbs to the yard. That will reduce his figure. Then there is a cost to dispose of the ties. It is not as lucrative as he presents.
It is a common mistake. Many make it. to Dispose of ties I think it is about 15 per tie, but i think the scrap would still pay it. Just saying, not interseted in taking sides.
What gets me is when people inflate things to improve their position. There are costs that are left out. If you give a projection of cost figure all variables and get your math correct. Their will be legal costs, years in court, disposal fees, incidental costs, etc.
His position is that this group of rail preservationists cost the State tax payers money. The article provides a figure, cost to tax payers. The number is low. At the moment the cost of letting them care for the State assest and run trains is a lot less then the court fee that will result by his trail ranting! Those rails will be there with their scrap value until things change.
I did some asking of questions around the area and of the peopole I know at BPS. I found out dukesimoneau requested repairs on the track near his property from the State DOT before BPS leased the tracks. I guess it is fine to spend dollars when it benefits him. No railroad was operating in that area. I also found out he is a constant complainer costing the tax payers dollars in employee time to keep following up on irrelevant issues. He is complaining about a pile of ties the railroad placed in a spot desiganted by the DEP. The DEP designated the location he is complaining about when they responded to one of his first complaints. He is pointng at BPS as “trashing” the State assest, when the “trash” (old ties, mostly cedar) were placed BEFORE the State purchased the railroad.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_profile When you do the research, FACTS come out. Even the history online of the B&ML says 75#/FOOT.
Thanks to dukesimoneau for proving he was incorrect. When you present facts make sure you comprehend what you you read. Cross reference and check your facts. If you look hard enough you can find information that one can twist and bend to support their position. You can even distract and attempt to improve your position by giving too many facts.
The link; 2ndparagrph, first line “weights are measuered in pounds per yard”. Go down to heading “North America” first line and throughout the pragraph “pound per yard”. It is even bulleted, fit bullet 75lb/yard, 37.2 kg/m (ASCE).
I Like rails. To the point of not using tax dollars though. I have a friend that works on the rails…(not these ones), He informed me that being on these tracks is illegal? Why would anyone be promoting riding atv’s, fishing etc. along the way if it is illegal to be there? is this exemptted status make the lines usable to the public?? please explain.
The railroad can choose to press charges of trespass. As far as I know it is within their right to do so. They may not excersise that right.
How does one obtain that right?? If its a law?? that does not make any sense to me.
Well, it is the right of anyone to press criminal charges but you would have to report the violation. If the railrod chooses not to report the violation then the charge isn’t charged. If they choose not to call the police then a charge would not be pressed.
So if you hit someone, its going to be your fault?? IF you promote these activities?? I may go out four wheeling this weekend, and your telling me i can ride the tracks?? How do I find out they wont press charges??
I would call the railroad and ask what they would do. I’ve never seen ATVs, the snowmobile club uses the railroad in the winter when trains are not runing. People walk the tracks frequently. Bottom line it is trespassing to be on the railroad. The railroad will press charges if they decide to.
Seems though there is some kind of skirmish going on in Brooks Maine.