No Excursions

[Anonymous]

I was told just recently that starting 2005, CSX[}:)] will not be allowing private excursions on their rails. not even excursions with current MARC commuter equiptment (Commuter lines will still run). Any info?

[RudyRockvilleMD]

CSX will refuse to allow privateIy operated excursions over its lines beginning in 2005. I haven't heard anything to that effect, were any reasons given? Were any specific excursions targeted such as the Fall Foliage excursions between Cumberland and Oakland MD over 17 Mile Grade?

CSX can refuse to run excursions on their railroad using either Western Maryland Scenic Railroad's or MARC's equipment, but I doubt if they could make that excursion ban stick if the trip were run under Amtrak's sponsorship because Amtrak has the federal right of access to all freight railroads. That is, the freight railroads must allow Amtrak to run its special trains over their lines.

[Anonymous]

I was told all excursions. There is one AMTRAK that probably would still run, but it is considered a regular Amtrak train.
the no excursion thing was brought up at a meeting in Union Station DC with CSX, MARC, AMTRAK, and excursion sponsors. The BRRM's representitive was told that the excursions the Museum does on RR days in october, that they have done since the '80s, will also be excluded from operation after this year. Its been the main source of Museum fall/winter income though, so we need to figure out something else.