From the Email InBox: HS#3 De-railed...DO Tell

Regarding the story at the G.T. Blog regarding the High School meetings, and what was mentioned. You may be correct in much of that, but...

The school story may be interesting, and as predicted, but you got the RR situation based upon rumor instead of fact. Am familiar with the RR going through G.T. for it was originally (circa 1880) built as narrow gauge, The San Bernardino Valley Transportation Company, beginning from downtown San Bernardino. It was bought by the Southern Pacific Transportation Co. then electrified by the Pacific Electric Ry. about
1926.

The track is owned by the Riverside County Transportation Agency since 1992. That is why it does not show up upon S.B. County tax records. It is operated by the Union Pacific as Lesser presently. One fact here is that about one year ago the Union Pacific out distanced the U.K. based British Rail, and is now about the fourth largest rail system- in- the- World. They have more Chicago Lawyers than the future G.T. High school would have students. So little chance that anything a biased Environmental Report by a puny Unified School District would say could stick. Those Chicago lawyers could delay some city/county based injunction for decades. Don't matter what is said in that puny bunch of papers. I think here too the attorneys of Riverside County would become active, for they have a monetary interest in to the branch.

It may not be visible, but the track is operated five days per week. No real changes there. Currently, they park locomotives (one GP-40 turbocharged and one GP-39 Un-turbocharged) near to the S.C.E. switching station along Taylor street. They are former mainline locomotives of very high mileage right now. They used to be parked overnight at north end of 9th street spur, up near to the Sunset Route mainline, but vandals got to them too often, as seen by the graffiti. A good ten years ago, they were stored overnight at warehouse location in Eastern Riverside.

The R.C.T.C. paid several million for an upgrade to the Riverside Branch about four years ago, and they have zero interest into letting the line go to hell. After all, the County of Riverside invested quite heavily in to new concrete tilt-up buildings and a new spur in the Highgrove area. Thus to be safe the locomotives are parked where they are at presently, not by choice but by need. I have seen one fifty carload train, but more usually they are 10 -12 cars long each day (yet another unseen movement). A Driver is hired to round up a crew at the West Colton yard each morning, and then deliver them via a white van to where the locomotives were parked overnight. (Not visible either).

The freight cars for Riverside branch destinations are arranged in south Colton beginning at about 4AM, six days per week. About 7AM the overnight locomotives then go north downhill over the river to set out empties, and obtain loads set out for them on a five days per week basis. Around 8AM they couple on and then take loads south, uphill to destinations like the truss manufacturer in south G.T. then on to switch cars at the noted new north Highgrove spurs, and on into the City of Riverside where the scrap/recycle yard is located. The Environmental Report that I read indicated zero traffic over the branch for a number of years. (They need a new writer) Further interest to the school district is in that an inquiry was made to re-activate the old spur going in to the A.E.S. property so that they could obtain extra heavy shipments. My thought is that Sacramento would take a dim view of abandoning or altering existent railroad tracks, such to meet the needs of the kiddies.

Thus, the Colton School District has come upon two Immovable Objects, the A.E.S. plant renovation, and the R.C.T.C. Neither of which will budge.

I further think that the Colton School District is going to find difficulty in obtaining approval from any future bond measure within city limits of G.T. that may fall upon the ballot. The residents paid out a lot, well for an empty field with a sign saying to be built - tomorrow,.....

"As in those 1930's movies, Lets put up a sign and that will make folks feel better per Andy Rooney" You think an over active Mayor is behind any of this?


And,

That Environmental report and set of plans for the Senior Center must have been assembled by a "Low Bidder" I saw so many holes in what was written, there was no need to stand up and complain before the podium.

Any first year law student could tell you that what the P.C. said cannot be put in to written orders; they must first see the work on paper. A five dollar motion before the court will bring the whole plan back before the P.C. again. The P.C. can state Minor revisions, but nothing as major as discussed that night. Those who were in attendance heard P.C. Matt Addington about to propose a motion to fix things, then bring back for approval. He was over voiced by Stockdale, indicating it all was beautiful.

Gramps Adds:

Thanks for the great detail. The prior posts were reporting a single viewing of the rail being used.

The Cost of Filing a Petition with the court was apparently over $300.00. You are right the Blue Mt. Senior Villas is back in court. My Judgment is that it should have gone before the Planning Commission and had Public Hearings prior to the City Council Suggesting Approval, and moving ahead with more “Work on Site”.

I don’t think it is a problem with an overactive Mayor, I think it is a Problem from a City Manager, Redevelopment Agency Director who is directing all these miss adventures, and an INACTIVE, UNTHINKING COUNCIL is just being lead down the path of perils. Like with the School Bond Money, the Citizens of Grand Terrace and the State of California and the United States of America will pay for the folly of our city by paying with taxpayers funds loans on buildings, and land deals, while the Hand Picked Exclusive developers rake in the cash.

We see this same behavior at the National Level, and Shame on Us for letting it rule our City Too.