At the December 9th meeting of the North
Coast Rail Authority (NCRA) at Novato, Marin county resident Jerry Peters was
elected as Chair for 2016. Sonoma County representative Alan Hemphill was
selected vice chair of the 9 person board. The positions are pretty
traditionally rotated by counties. Humboldt County 2nd District Supervisor Estelle Fennell served
as chair for 2015.
Former North Coast Congressman Doug Bosco spoke for NCRA operator
North Western Pacific Co. (NWPco) and updated the NWPco status with the Sonoma
Marin Area Rapid Transit (SMART). It seems they are getting along better and not
at odds. SMART recently tested the tracks for their trains at 80 miles an hour
during a “Positive Train Control” program, which helps transit and freight
coordinate to keep each other’s operations safe. SMART has agreed to put in some
rail spurs as has DUTRA at $600,000 a switchback to help move freight cargo
along the rail. NWPco garnered a new customer to haul 200 carloads a year of
wheat grain out of Alberta. Bosco predicted NWPco approaching 1,000 carloads by
next year. Hopes were for continued railroad freight expansion to Cloverdale in
the near future. He estimated the cost at 6 million dollars and identified
Mendocino Forest Products as a benefited customer. Mr. Bosco suggested maybe
another future partnership between the NCRA and NWPco for another Railroad
Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) loan.
