OK, this reminds me of a question I've got, which I'll raise here, since it's pertinent. "We have heard" that the terms under which the Calverts deeded right-of-way to the B&O railroad stipulated that passenger service must be provided for Riverdale in perpetuity, or else the title reverts back (to whom??) and the railroad would lose the property. Is this just a wonderful 'town legend'? or is it in fact true?
<br><br>BTW, I would take issue with the attribution of "useless" to the railroad station. It's not only attractive, but serves to keep those of us who ride the MARC nice and toasty on the cold days (except for the 9:04 train -- the automatic lock on the door is set a bit too early, shutting 9:04 passengers out in the cold). "Underutilized," yes. "Useless," no!!
<br><br><div><span class="gmail_quote">On 2/1/07, <b class="gmail_sendername">Gerald King</b> <<a href="mailto:Gerald@geraldking.com">Gerald@geraldking.com</a>> wrote:</span><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
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<div><font face="Arial">I'm confused. </font></div>
<div><font face="Arial">If, as Rob says "<font face="Arial" size="3">This rail road
crossing is identified as one of the 10 most dangerous crossings in the state of
Maryland (It has a high fatal accident prediction factor, ref:</font> <a href="http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/Content/803" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><font face="Arial" size="3">http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/Content/803
</font></a><font face="Arial" size="3">
). We have been pretty lucky so far," why are the town, county, and state
governments considering authorizing variances to build high density residences
next to such a crossing? Am I mistaken that this rail line has been and is
a major East Coast freight carrier and is vary busy? The wonderful Mark
train station is a true convenience to town residents and would no
doubt be attractive to buyers or renters of new condominiums on the
tracks. But what if our "luck" runs out? What if some of the increased
number of children or elderly folks living in the new condo's get hurt when two
trains are passing or stalled on the intersection? How long do you think we
will have the wonderful Mark train stop? Will the town have to foot the
bill for building a wall along the tracks (both sides) to protect our
citizens? </font></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial">I agree something has to be done to improve the traffic
problems at this crossing, but high density housing, does not seem like a good
solution. But I'm sure the brilliant minds in UP and Annapolis will figure
out how to justify some variances. First they will do a study or two, and then
choose whatever is profitable. Perhaps Jamal can buy the useless train station
and use it for the attendant to the toll gate at the crossing. Think of the
profits of charging condo residents for getting to their cars in the Town Center
Parking lot. And the town can put in parking meters to skim a few bucks from the
train watchers who frequent the area. </font></div>
<div><font face="Arial">Just a little rant. No solutions until the Town Center is
occupied.</font></div><span class="sg">
<div><font face="Arial">Gerald King</font></div></span></div></div></blockquote><div><br></div></div>