Concerns over plans for passenger railroad

KENT — A crowd of about 55 people attended the June 21 Planning and Zoning Commission special meeting to discuss the possible restoration of passenger railroad service through Kent. Colin Pease, vice president of special operations for the Housatonic Railroad Company, gave a presentation on the company’s exploration of the possibility of restoring the long-defunct passenger railroad service from Pittsfield, Mass., to New York City.He explained it is likely Housatonic Railroad would operate passenger service from Danbury north to Pittsfield. In Danbury, trains would go to the Southeast station in Brewster, N.Y., where they would connect with Metro North train service into Grand Central Terminal in New York City.Pease said some trains would offer through-service with no change of trains in Southeast, while other would require a cross-track connection. He also said it’s possible that passengers could make a connection at a hub in New Milford.The Housatonic Railroad proposal calls for eight round-trip trains daily, seven days a week; weekend and holiday schedules might be different from those on regular weekdays. Pease said people in this area have long wanted passenger rail service and that market research showed they want a level of service that is higher than that offered by traditional commuter railroad. Based on that, the company is looking at passenger cars that will have two-by-two seating, not three by two, Wi-Fi and some food service.Housatonic Railroad’s market research identified four distinct markets for passenger railroad service along the route: commuters, visitors, second-home owners and students.“Establishment of passenger rail service from Danbury north to Pittsfield would likely create 630 to 730 new jobs,” Pease said. The company believes it can operate the line without the help of subsidies, but “we will need some kind of government help with the construction costs.”The company anticipates it will cost $200 million to complete all necessary construction and acquire “rolling stock.” They estimate it would take three years to complete the necessary construction work.According to Pease, the railroad is currently exploring financing options. “We have been approached by a foreign coach manufacturer who heard about this project.” Pease said, adding that, “There are currently no passenger rolling stock manufacturers in the U.S.”John Johnson, chairman of the P&Z, said, “People I have spoken with said they would likely still drive to the Harlem Valley- Wingdale station because they can get through trains to Grand Central.”Pease explained the passenger service would operate with single-line (one-track) service with frequent passing zones. The company plans to build new stations with high platforms to make them handicap accessible; build sufficient parking; and construct railroad crossing protections for motorists and pedestrians.Pease noted that while the right of way does pass through Kent, there is no legal requirement for the trains to stop there. He also said the railroad company owns 4 acres of land in North Canaan.In response to a question about how many parking spaces a Kent railroad station would have or how much land would be needed, Pease said that has not yet been determined.A number of people attending the meeting expressed unhappiness with the company over operation of the freight train service it already runs through their communities. They said trains blow their horns during the night and the company was accused of improper use of defoliants to kill growth along the right of way.Pease explained that the blowing of horns is a federal mandate that specifies where they must be sounded and how many times.It was pointed out at this information meeting that the town of Kent has no legal jurisdiction over Housatonic Railroad’s plans to operate passenger train service through the town.

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