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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I sure miss riding the MARC train!</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>The town’s ridership has ebbed and
flowed since my grandfather rode the train in the 1950s and 1960s and me in the
1990s and 2000s. There were several years when the town was threatened with the
cancellation of service at our stop altogether, as ridership was deemed too low,
the last time when MTA was looking to add a stops in Greenbelt and Beltsville
(Muirkirk) with a large commuter parking lots and wanted to keep the overall
trip time from Baltimore to Washington about the same. And there were several
years when it was just me on the </span></font><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>9:03</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> to </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Washington</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> and it was a flag stop (meaning that, if they didn’t see me,
the train didn’t stop in </span></font><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Riverdale</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Park</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>).</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>The Hyattsville Station went inactive when
the last rider, a long-time passenger of some stature, retired back when I was
a kid. Many of the train conductors who knew of some of this history on the
line have either died or retired, but I’ll bet there might be 1 or 2 who
could recall some tidbits passed on to them.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Berwyn</span></font><font size=2
color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Heights</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> lost passenger service, with a stop surrounded by houses and a
small but loyal group of riders who walked to the station, when </span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>Greenbelt</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> opened, with MTA giving
the reason in pubic hearings that those riders could DRIVE to </span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>Greenbelt</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> or </span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>College Park</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>. Not exactly the point.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I fear that the opening of the EYA project
down the road could lead to calls to reopen the Hyattsville station at the
expense of the </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Riverdale</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Park</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> station (they are probably 1 minute’s distance apart on the
train). If I were still on the council, I would be talking to MTA and the state
about the town’s desire to maintain/increase service and pushing hard for
new riders. Although the prevailing thought is that because the Calvert family
allowed the B&O through the Riversdale property with the provision that
passenger service be provided, the paperwork on that still needs to be
uncovered, and it did not stop the closing of passenger service for a while
when my grandfather was a rider.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Of course, a vibrant </span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>Town</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>Center</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> would help the town’s
case, as would the construction of high-density residential within walking
distance of the tracks. It seems that at least one of those things is already
in the works. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I used to take the train to my job at
Union Station (15 minutes) and later to Union Station with the red line
connection to </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Bethesda</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> (40 minutes). It was faster than the 1.5-hour drive on </span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>East-West Highway</span></font><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> through
</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Takoma Park</span></font><font size=2
color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>, and we could walk to the station (although not as often as we
should have). There are probably many new residents who are unaware of the
possibilities the train has to offer, and even getting the local real estate
agents involved in touting this amenity in their ads might (1) help sell some
houses and (2) attract people who want to live near public transit. And shouldn’t
every new resident receive a train schedule in their welcome packets?</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Just some thoughts.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Chris</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>-----Original Message-----<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>From:</span></b>
towntalk-bounces@riverdale-park.org
[mailto:towntalk-bounces@riverdale-park.org] <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On
Behalf Of </span></b>Dwight Holmes<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, December 19, 2007
10:56 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> TownTalk<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [RP TownTalk] more
Camden line?</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:
.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Nancy,
I've no idea about any history on that -- maybe Chris Davis can fill us in?<br>
<br>
Given there are only 6 trains in the peak direction, morning and evening, I'd
be amazed if they gave up either of the 2 express trains (I can imagine riders
from Baltimore getting pretty irate if they did). <br>
<br>
The new plans recently announced have new rush hour trains being added in
2015. I've copied the details announced here on the Wiki: <a
href="http://rpwiki.wetpaint.com/page/O%27Malley+wants+MARC+to+grow">http://rpwiki.wetpaint.com/page/O%27Malley+wants+MARC+to+grow
</a><br>
<br>
Other than that I would think they only basis for lobbying for additional
Riverdale stops would be if EYA and Cafritz developments greatly increase
demand from our end. Even then, I'd guess this is an uphill battle.
O'Malley's proposals seem pretty ambitious in this day and age of structural
deficits and ongoing bias towards roads rather than mass transit. <br>
<br>
An 8:20 stop would be wonderful, though -- no doubt about it.<br>
<br>
</span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>On Dec 19, 2007 10:27 PM, Nancy Augustine <<a
href="mailto:nya_md@verizon.net">nya_md@verizon.net</a>> wrote: </span></font></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Neighbors -</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Has anyone ever tried to convince
Marc to increase service to our Riverdale station? Is there any
interest in trying? Any suggestions in how we might go about it? </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>There are several Camden line trains
that go through without stopping at our stop; <a
href="http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/marc/schedulesSystemMaps/MARC_CAMDEN_LINE_HTML.cfm"
target="_blank">http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/marc/schedulesSystemMaps/MARC_CAMDEN_LINE_HTML.cfm
</a>. </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>I'm most interested in adding
service on the train that comes through Riverdale (but does not stop here)
around 8:15am and arrives at Union Station at 8:28am. </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>In the evening, there's a train that
leaves Union Station at 5:51pm and comes through Riverdale just after
6:00pm. This train does stop on "special" schedule days only
(certain holidays). </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Nancy</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><br>
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For more information about Riverdale Park, visit <a
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</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><br>
<br clear=all>
<br>
-- <br>
"A budget is a moral document." --Jim Wallis <br>
"Don't tell me what you value, show me your budget, and I'll tell you what
you value." --Sen. Joe Biden<br>
Riverdale Park Community Wiki<br>
<a href="http://rpwiki.wetpaint.com/">http://rpwiki.wetpaint.com/ </a></span></font></p>
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