More Tuesday morning rail news:
— Connecticut is expected to approve $300 million in funding for new coaches for three commuter rail lines at a Wednesday meeting. The Waterbury Republican-American reports that the State Bond Commission will consider financing for passenger cars for the Shore Line East and CTrail Hartford Line, as well as Metro-North’s Danbury and Waterbury Branches. The funds would pay for 72 new cars. The commission will meet in a 1 p.m. teleconference.
— Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has vetoed a tax on fuel for railroad locomotives that would have generated money for grade-crossing separation projects. The Ogden Standard-Examiner reports that the bill would have removed the current exemption on tax for locomotive fuel and generated an estimated $3.7 million per year. Hebert’s veto message said the proposal “is contrary to principles of sound tax policy.”
— The trustee overseeing the bankruptcy of the Saratoga & North Creek Railway is seeking a new operator who would purchase the New York short line. Trustee William Brandt Jr. told the Albany Times-Union he would like to see if a sale is feasible, news welcomed in one county where the 98-mile railroad operated. Officials in Essex County would like to see the railroad continue to operate, while those in Warren County are considering abandonment of the 40 miles they own. The railroad is part of the bankruptcy proceedings in Denver for the San Luis & Rio Grande and other Iowa Pacific Holdings properties [see “Additional Iowa Pacific railroads placed into receivership,” Trains News Wire, Oct. 23, 2019].
