up from New York City through Kingston in October 2017 again, the possibility is there. A rail connection – offering service directly into the Catskills once more would be huge. At the same Chamber of Commerce breakfast where Hein spoke of his high quality people, he also talked up his efforts to upgrade the county’s roads and bridges. Apparently, railroads are not part of his vision when it comes to preparing Ulster County transportation infrastructure for the 21st Century. There is no other developed country in the world that is choosing to convert rail lines into trails the way America is doing and the smart ones are investing heavily in new rail. – Hein pointed with pride to the solar power array at a local landfill, soon to be switched on. The Netherlands operate their rail system using electricity from wind power; those solar panels could be powering streetcars in Kingston at the very least. While Hein is promoting his administration’s efforts to make Ulster County ignoring the energy efficiency of steel wheels on steel rails is ignoring a way of ‘green’, reducing the county’s carbon load and puts the county on the same side as fossil fuel interests. The Hein administration refuses to answer any questions ongoing litigation. Considering the consequences of the position the administration has taken, it appears increasingly unlikely they have any good answers. The taxpayers of Ulster County are the ones who are going to have to foot the bill and live with the long-term consequences. They should demand answers, as should the county legislature. The U&D Railway Revitalization Corporation has been looking at the bigger picture, above and beyond immediate political considerations. We believe restoring the rail corridor in light of the above information is more important than ever. We see this as an investment in the long-term future of the region that rises far and away above any benefits to be gained from any trail by itself and we include trails as part of that – future, a future big enough for everyone. Additional Resources WAMC news story about Marist College Commuter Study: Marist Cuomo Metro North Proposal: Amtrak 2017 Autumn Express: Dutch trains run on 100% wind power
up from New York City through Kingston in October 2017 – again, the possibility is there. A rail connection offering service directly into the Catskills once more would be huge. At the same Chamber of Commerce breakfast where Hein spoke of his high quality people, he also talked up his efforts to upgrade the county’s roads and bridges. Apparently, railroads are not part of his vision when it comes to preparing Ulster County transportation infrastructure for the 21st Century. There is no other developed country in the world that is choosing to convert rail lines into trails the way America is doing – and the smart ones are investing heavily in new rail. Hein pointed with pride to the solar power array at a local landfill, soon to be switched on. The Netherlands operate their rail system using electricity from wind power; those solar panels could be powering streetcars in Kingston at the very least. While Hein is promoting his administration’s efforts to make Ulster County ‘green’, ignoring the energy efficiency of steel wheels on steel rails is ignoring a way of reducing the county’s carbon load and puts the county on the same side as fossil fuel interests. The Hein administration refuses to answer any questions ongoing litigation. Considering the consequences of the position the administration has taken, it appears increasingly unlikely they have any good answers. The taxpayers of Ulster County are the ones who are going to have to foot the bill and live with the long-term consequences. They should demand answers, as should the county legislature. The U&D Railway Revitalization Corporation has been looking at the bigger picture, above and beyond immediate political considerations. We believe restoring the rail corridor in light of the above information is more important than ever. We see this as an investment in the long-term future of the region that rises far and away above any benefits to be gained from any trail by itself – and we include trails as part of that future, a future big enough for everyone. Additional Resources WAMC news story about Marist College Commuter Study: Marist Cuomo Metro North Proposal: Amtrak 2017 Autumn Express: Dutch trains run on 100% wind power
UDRRC-Press-Release-2-28-18-Full-Version-.docx