21 December 2010

Government Plans to Cancel
Group's Lease

Nacawick New Brunswick - Suddenly, they're on a train bound for nowhere.
 
That's where the New Brunswick Recreational Rail Riders find themselves after the New Brunswick government informed the group it plans to cancel the group's lease on an abandoned stretch of railway.
 
The Rail Riders is a group of about a dozen people who operate small rail cars on a nine-mile stretch of track in the Temperance Vale area.
 
They signed a 10-year lease with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in 2004 for the abandoned rails, the only such stretch left in New Brunswick.
 
Member Kevin McKell told the Bugle-Observer the club views the minister's decision as "heavy-handed."
 
"I've spent money thinking I've got until 2014 to enjoy this hobby," McKell said.
 
If the club abandons the area, DNR is expected to tender out the removal of the rails.
 
McKell said the club suspects there are political favours at work in the cancellation of the lease.
 
McKell said the club has been looking at expansion, including use of rails owned by N.B. Southern in McAdam.
 
"It's historic, it's nostalgic," he said."
 
McKell said it's easier to leave the rails in place and let the club continue the lease.
 
He added the club has been working on clearing away brush along the stretch, and had almost half of it cleared.
 
"That's a lot of time and effort," he said.
 
Members of the club were scheduled to meet with a number of MLAs in Fredericton last week.
 
"We want some answers," McKell said.
 
McKell said at this point the club would like to see the lease honoured to its conclusion.
 
"We'd hate to see it just die," he said.
 
Bryan Tait.