Mobility authority offers to help Texas State Railroad
BY TERRIE GONZALEZ MANAGING EDITOR

A small group of protesters quietly sat through the proceedings of the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) meeting in Rusk March 6 and held signs objecting to the privatization of the Texas State Railroad.

The Texas State Railroad was moved to the top of the organization's agenda, and board president Jeff Austin III told the 30 persons present that, "We want to make ourselves available."

As a quasi-state agency created by the Texas Department of Transportation, NET RMA is able to accept money from TxDOT and issue grants to help advance the completion of transportation-related projects.

Concurrent house and senate bills were introduced last Thursday to create an operating agency to oversee the privatization of the Texas State Railroad. Prior to the bill's introduction, privatization advocates suggested using the NET RMA as a conduit to facilitate privatization.

Calling the Texas State Railroad the "crown jewel of Cherokee County," Mr. Austin said while his organization does not have a "pot of money," they are willing to work on solutions to keep the train open, in whatever direction that is."

Dr. Michael Banks, president of Save Texas Parks, spoke during an open forum regarding NET RMA's possible involvement with the TSR.

"Save Texas Parks opposes privatization of the Texas State Railroad," he told the board. "We had heard that you, the Regional Mobility Authority, had offered to be the entity which would receive the railroad if privatization was used. We urge you not to become involved in privatization of the Texas State Railroad."

Dr. Banks reviewed details of the Texas State Railroad's current operating agency's announcement two weeks ago that they have selected their first choice of private companies to take over the management and operation of the train.

"The operating agency created by Rusk and Palestine has selected American Heritage Railways as the potential operator of the railroad should privatization be considered." He alleged that, "We have information showing American Heritage to have a checkered past, with previous bankruptcies; an accident record which includes a death; a safety record plagued with a fire that resulted in a fine by the federal government which lead to a shut down of their railroad; and a maintenance history of not repairing their smoke stacks, due to lack of funds, which lead to pollution. As recently as last year, the Durango newspaper claimed American Heritage was in financial trouble. We urge you to not become involved with the privatization of the Texas State Railroad."

Another viewpoint

Bob Goldsberry, on behalf of the Rusk Economic Development Corporation, reviewed a timeline of the Texas State Railroad's problems which surfaced in December 2005. (See chart above.)

"When you're told that the state won't fund the railroad, the only option is to look for a plan B, where plan C is a static display. It's still a fluid process."

Mr. Goldsberry said that the TSROA, of which he is a member, is working with no legal mandate from the state to negotiate the privatization. "If we don't do something, they will probably shut this down. My goal is to make sure this train runs."

Board members asked Mr. Goldsberry about needed capital expenditures at the railroad and followed with questions on the TSR's operating budget and overall safety of the tracks.

"It's not that it's unsafe. The tracks are in fairly good shape," he said. "There is no maintenance plan in place to repair them, and it will be that much more difficult to bring the track back up."

TSR Superintendent Robert Crossman interjected that very little of the TSR's budget is spent on capital improvements at this time, but he underscored that the rails are safe.

"We are going down a dangerous path to not replace track," said Mr. Crossman.

Board members expressed curiosity about the camping area at Rusk State Park and how the two state parks share resources. Mr. Crossman indicated that reservations are made separately for train rides and camping.

Mr. Goldberry's presentation focused on area tourism that extended to Caddoan Mounds and Mission Tejas in Houston County. However, board members were less interested in tourism outside Cherokee County and more focused on economic development issues and tourism closer to home.

"Don't you have the longest footbridge in the world," asked Steve McCarty, board member from Alto.

Mr. Austin asked Mr. Goldsberry to address economic development and the jobs at Rusk State Hospital and Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Rusk.

He also suggested that alternate uses of the track could potentially generate additional revenue. The consensus is that while there are commercial applications for the track, the best usage is on the Palestine end, where rail sitings and transfer stations could be constructed.

Mr. Austin explained the agenda item on the TSR was not an "action item" associated with a vote but was for informational purposes.

"We are an interested party," said Mr. Austin, "and we want to stay close and up to date if we are called upon to help."

County Judge Chris Davis made opening remarks at the board meeting, which was held in the theatre at the Texas State Railroad depot.

Board members present included: Keith Honey, Gregg County; John Cloutier, Rusk County; Mr. McCarty, Cherokee County; Mr. Austin, board chairman, Smith County; Tab Beall, Smith County; Jeff Warr, Smith County; and Gaylon White, Harrison County.

The NET RMA was established in 2004 by Gov. Rick Perry with two counties, Smith and Gregg. Currently six counties including Cherokee are members of the 11-person board; five counties have submitted resolutions requesting inclusion and three additional counties are considering the option.