Rail Worth Saving
(Feb. 9, 2012) Editor:
I’d like to comment on Rees Hughes’ article (“Walk on the Wild Side of 101,” Jan. 19), and to commend Stacey Becker for her response (Mailbox, Jan. 26). I’m thankful that Mr. Hughes at least said, “rail to trail or rail and trail.” To those who wrote opposing the rail I would say the track is anything but vacant land, and giving up the “dream of the railroad” is to ignore our own history.
The railroads are an integral part of our local history, and it saddens me to think they might be completely erased from our present. There is an enthusiastic group of people working to restore rail activity around the bay. Their efforts should be honored.
One of the things that I love about this area is a general desire for inclusiveness. I’m certain a trail can be devised that also maintains the rail for rail traffic.
Consider the city of Los Angeles, which years ago dismantled its rail system, and has recently spent billions to rebuild it. Even if our track is only used occasionally for excursions and for history education for our children, it is worth maintaining it for its original purpose.
Howdy Emerson, Trinidad
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on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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THREE Comments
Comment / By Little Buddha / Feb. 10, 8:09 a.m.
Trails and Rails can never mix. Too many dead pedestrians. Period.
Comment / By Buzz / Feb. 10, 8:21 a.m.
Not so, Buddha. Pedestrians are killed by trains in places where there is no trail and people walk the tracks to get to where they need to go. Trails are preferable to walking tracks.
Comment / By Sergio / Feb. 11, 1:35 a.m.
Dont pull the rail, use rail banking and when ready the rail can come back. That easy. For now no rail and no trail is ridiculous. Eventually if the rail company decides to sell it off then we got nothing out of this corridor