Bill Text: WV SCR38 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Urging CSX support New River Train

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-3)

Status: (Passed) 2019-03-09 - House Message received [SCR38 Detail]

Download: West_Virginia-2019-SCR38-Introduced.html

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 38

(By Senators Plymale, Baldwin, Cline, Maynard, Woelfel, Jeffries, Lindsay, Stollings, and Roberts)

[Introduced February 19, 2019]

 

Urging CSX and other potential partners to support the New River Train.

Whereas, The New River Train has operated profitably for 53 years, running between Huntington and Hinton during two October weekends; and   

Whereas, On average, 4,800 people ride the train during the two-day weekend; and

Whereas, The Cabell-Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates the New River Train’s economic impact to be $2.2 million in Huntington alone and $5 million for the area; and

Whereas, Travel spending by all overnight and day visitors in West Virginia was $4.3 billion in the 2017 calendar year; and

Whereas, Travel spending in Cabell County (where the New River Train originates) was $115.2 million in 2017, generating $33.4 million earnings and 1,140 jobs for West Virginia workers, and travel spending in Summers County (where the New River Train lays over) was $17.4 million, generating $4.6 million in earnings and 230 jobs for West Virginia workers; and

Whereas, Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society, Inc., has worked in cooperation with CSX and Amtrak to operate the New River Train; and

Whereas, Amtrak has announced they are eliminating charter/special trains such as the New River Train; and

Whereas, Amtrak removed Huntington as a point of access for private railcars; and

Whereas, The New River Train, without this support, finds itself evaluating its options and model of operations; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Legislature urges CSX and other potential partners to support the New River Train; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes the importance and value of the New River Train, and the Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society, Inc. as its operator; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Legislature appreciates the value that this train and others like it adds to our state’s economy, history, and legacy; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Legislature commits to exploring ways to support this industry in both the short and long terms; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes the role that private-public partnerships can play in forwarding common goals of both sectors; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Legislature asks CSX and other potential partners to consider supporting the Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society in any way that they can, whether as a sponsor or partner, and enabling the society to continue running the New River Train; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Legislature asks CSX and other potential partners to join with us in securing a future for the special and historical train industry, and to allow our great state to continue benefitting from the tourism and economic opportunities that special trains provide; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Richard H. Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Amtrak, James M. Foote, President and Chief Executive Officer of CSX, the Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society, Inc., and to the members of West Virginia’s congressional delegation.

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