The railway is an integral part of the charm of Blue Ridge and it would be immensely detrimental to the local economy if it were to close. The City and the Community need to support the Railway.

Hi Kip, great piece!

We just brought a weekend home in blue Ridge. The scenic railway was one of the key factors in our deceision to invest in the area. It seems like it provides am important element in making Blue Ridge a tourist destination.

The only time I have ever visited downtown Blue Ridge was to take a ride on the train. I brought friends and family for the ride as well. After returning to Blue Ridge, we all went shopping and had a bite to eat. I would imagine between all of us, a good bit of money was spent. I wonder who came up with the bright idea to charge a fee that would run the train out of town? Perhaps, the train should stay and run the politicians out on a rail.

A small group of us ladies that work together from South Carolina spent our vacation in Blue Ridge last summer,we made our plans around our railroad trip.We enjoyed our trip,the history and the different points of interest that Miss Sally told about we traveled.It would be a shame to loose this train.

The train is part of the charm of Blue Ridge. If it wasn’t there the city would need to invent it.

I just purchased a beautiful new cabin in Blueridge, where I will be living full time! The Blue Ridge train is an incredibly charming feature of the quaint town and loved by all visitors and residents, whether full or part time. It would be a disastrously foolish move for the City to implement the contemplated fees and lose a beautiful, unique attraction that is a drawing card for tourists and which results in sales tax and other revenue for the City and its businesses. I can guarantee that if the railroad is forced to shut down, I will do everything in my power to see that any city official who supports this debacle is voted out of office and politics forever!

I became familiar with Blue Ridge through a webcam. After viewing Blue Ridge i would certainly want to visit and if I could ride the train- even better! I drive from Florida to the Smokies every summer so a stop there would not be out of my way.
The city must be greedy or something because on the whole, railroads lose money! They have discontinued stops in many towns because of economics. I cannot believe that a city would tap into a business that brings business to your town. I’m with the railroad! I just hope I get to ride the train before the city fathers/mothers force them to abandon Blue Ridge! Greed is everywhere today!!!!

With all the development now going on and being planned for Ellijay, it seems Blue Ridge would be handing them more business if the train shuts down. If I were operating a downtown business, I would be concerned.

Jim said:
“…railroads lose money!”

You hit the spike on the head. Last year was the first year the railway wasn’t in the red. According to The News Observer, this “franchise fee” will cost the railway close to $70,000 more in annual taxes. The railway claims to have polled their customers about a fare increase, and the response was overwhelmingly something to the effect of, “it’s already too high”. The president of the scenic railway even offered to open their books to the city to show they can’t afford to pay this tax.

Bill Dunnuck said:
“…Blue Ridge would be handing them more business if the train shuts down.â€?

Yet another Blue Ridge business takes a tax hit because of the revenue the city forfeits to surrounding towns with their stance on by-the-drink prohibition. I’d imagine if the train’s massive tax base is also dismissed, Blue Ridge businesses will eventually have to pay that price too.

Ed Parker said:
“…run the politicians out on a rail.”

They’ll probably have to be run out on something other than a rail. Personally, I’d let them ride for a $70K “franchise fee”.

Why should the city get greedy?? The railroad adds to the quaint small town image that Blue Ridge portraits to the thousands of visitors that ride the train. The Business Association officers are the real leaders of this community, the elected officials are part of the problem,not the solution.

It is disturbing that the city of Blue Ridge would seek additional revenue from the already financially struggling enterprise that draws thousands of tourists. This mentality is akin to sleighing the “golden goose”.

Maybe it’s time to elect a new mayor. Perhaps one that hasn’t been convicted of gambling or cockfighting. I thought you were out after the third strike anyhow?

The reason i bought in Blue Ridge was the fact that the Rail Road added an additional charm to the area and as such the whole atmosphere of Blue Ridge. I could have bought somewhere else but didnt. The toooting of the train brings back memories of the “good olde days”. The City fathers have is wrong trying to add another tax.

The question that has not been asked is if the train operator will not sell the same amount of tickets if they raise the price $1?

it seems that this is another attempt by the city to thwart the progress of tourism. Actually,as the rumor has it, the railroad will be replaced by a cock-fighting arena;you can bet on it.

What a ridiculous move it would be to lose a tourist attraction like the railroad. How many places can you visit that provide such a beautiful way to see and feel the mountain atmosphere of Blue Ridge?

I have been reading the comments with great interest. With the myriad of responses, it seems to me that we should communicate our opinions and desires to our local gov’t and/or be heard. As we are not full time residents but hope to be in the not too distant future, what should we do? Forward the comments in this blog to the News Observer? Write to the elected officials?

No one ever said you had to be educated or have a lick of common sense to be a politician in Blue Ridge, all you need is a bunch of friends and families to vote you in over and over again. Could this railroad decision be related to the morons that ran the arts festival out of town because of greed. They’re all licking their chops and rubbing their hands together after sticking it to the lake residents on taxes, thinking who else can we get. Remember the newspaper article on how one of the county commissioners property was over looked in the recent tax trippling on the lake, sure it was temporarily corrected but would it have been had it not been caught. There is alot of cronyism within the walls of Blue Ridge and the best way to deal with self serving politicians is to publish their names next to their bad deeds specially at election time. There are three skirts that seem to call the shots with stupid ideas in Blue Ridge maybe they need to be embarrassed in to going away. The best defense residents of and around Blue Ridge have against political corruption is the local newspaper.

As a former resident/rail passenger/frequent visitor, it seems to me that the city should be paying the railroad for the tourist draw- not the other way around… The railroad was the centerpiece if my (and my wife’s) last visit.

No news from the paper in Friday’s edition and nothing in the rumour mill. However, since the paper ran this as the lead front page story, they’ve included reader letters in the op-ed in every subsequent issue. The last one (today’s paper) was funny; here are a few highlights:

“It appears the city of Blue Ridge council would rather go back to the pre-train days when governing was not as tough a task…An undisclosed source of mine tells me that the problem seems to be the maintenance and supplies for the public restrooms…The city should ask its attorney to draft a proposal to Mr. Pierce [BR Scenic President] stating that each male ticket holder will be required to bring two rolls of toilet tissue, each female ticket holder will be required to bring a roll of paper towels and each child will need a bar of soap.”

I have a cleaner, more efficient idea: take bids on three pricey permits for a coffee, an ice cream, and a hot dog/BBQ/whatever stand (a la NYC street cart on wheels) trackside at the depot(s).

BR Scenic Railway emails: info@brscenic.com, brscenic@tds.net
News Observer email: tno@tds.net
BR City Council emails: looking…

My husband and I are about to close on a home in Blue Ridge. One of the main reasons we chose Blue Ridge was because of the train and the availability of stores and restaurants which exist because of the train. If the train no longer continues to run, it will have a detrimental effect on the shops, restaurants and the town. People will not come off of the highway to see what a charming town Blue Ridge is. Please do not add this extra tax.

Well the paper announced on today’s front page that there was a railroad meeting today. It appears there was an unannounced, behind-closed-doors, some say ‘illegal’, meeting last Thursday and then one called hastily for today. According to one attendee, it does not look good for the railway. However, today’s paper had this to say about the ongoing negotiations:

“Syfan [city attorney] said he discussed negotiation with the council. He said he will now negotiate with Blue Ridge Scenic Railway owner Wilds L. Pierce on the depot’s lease and possible $1 per ticket franchising fee. Syfan said he hoped to complete negotiations by Feb 1.”

Feb 1? That’s an optimistic ‘tomorrow’. His latest “negotiation with the council” must have hopefully gone well.

Myself, wife and family have made many visits to the Blue Ridge area from England over the years and have taken the train ride ona number of occasions. We really enjoy the whole of Downtown and always make a bee-line for the area when we visit.
I feel that the railroad is the heart of Downtown Blue Ridge and if it were to be removed then the Downtown area would become a vacant lot.

Hopefully the people of Blue Ridge and the surrounding areas will fight this proposal.

Give it back to the native Americans

Our family recently purchased a cabin in Blue Ridge. The train and charming downtown area contributed to the decision to locate there. Over the Thanksgiving Holiday, we had a family reunion at the cabin. The highlight of our visit was the train ride (which cost us over $500 for tickets). It was the first ride our grandchildren ever had on a train. After the ride the family had lunch at local restaurants and shopped at the many shops in the downtown area. Although we did not expect luxury, we had a hard time seeing through the dirty windows on the train. Now we understand that the railroad is probably struggling to maintain itself. To add additional tax would hurt this tourist attraction even more. The town should be subsidizing the railroad to make it even better. As a businessman I feel the railroad is missing many opportunities for additional revenue such as advertising local businesses or adding a pushcart to sell hot dogs, cold drinks, etc. on the train platform. One of the problems we find on our many visits to the downtown area is the lack of restaurants. We are new to the area and perhaps our comments are premature or uneducated, but we are sincerely interested in the welfare of the Blue Ridge downtown area. In our opinion it would be a great mistake to lose the railroad.

Our Family “discovered” Blue Ridge a few years ago, and have been vacationing there ever since. It is a GREAT family oriented town, Please do all you can to keep the scenic railroad. It is one of our favorites.

This is our third year going to Blue Ridge in July. We have been other places, and live on the beach, but we have never been to a more beautiful place than Blue Ridge. And our favorite part of the trip is taking the whole family on the train trip. If you take away the train, we will not go to Blue Ridge any more. Please dont do it!

As many City s and Counties around north Georgia do they get greedy. When a company comes in that is doing well they must put there hand in the kitty. I think the city counsel can’t see the forest for the trees. The long term effects of the tax will make Blue Ridge an undesirable place to move a business due to the fear of unwarranted taxes. Thus the city will dry up and die. I to have just purchased a home in Fannin County the rail way was a major consideration on my discussion. The value of this rail way reaches far past the city limit signs of Blue Ridge. I ask the City to change its mind and pursue a more noble quest.

Jerry Lockaby

Wonder how many city employees could be cut (ie contracted out), thereby saving the city money and the train.
City and County governments can save lots on retirement, workers comp and health by contracting out many meanial services. I noted one of the other comments of the lack of eating facilites near the train or downtown, calls for business breaks not more taxes.
Thanks, Joe

Jay,
The city of BR just needs to eliminate the contract attorney and the mayor. The mayor is the one always getting the city into trouble and then the (out of town) attorney is paid to fix things. Or, in many cases, cause more trouble thereby increasing his fees. Check the local paper archives in April/May for cost comparisons between the city and county attorneys. The small town of BR pays significantly more in legal costs than all of Fannin County.

I CAME UP LAST YEAR TO RIDE THE SAME RAIL THAT I USE TO RIDE WHEN I WAS A SMALL CHILD GOING TO VISIT MY GRANDPARENTS. I LOVE BLUE RIDGE AND THE TRAIN RIDE. IF YOU FORCE THE TRAIN TO SHUT DOWN YOU ARE CUTTING OFF YOUR NOSE TO SPITE YOUR FACE. YOU BE A GHOST TOWN TRUST ME ON THAT. I HAVE SEEN OTHER SITUATIONS SIMILAR TO YOURS AND THE PEOPLE WHO RAN THE TOWN WOULDN’T LISTEN AND YOU CAN GUESS WHAT HAPPENED. IT ISN’T PRETTY WHEN PEOPLE STRIVE TO LIVE BUT CAN’T BECAUSE OF SOME RICH GREEDY PUBLIC SERVANTS THAT ARE TAKING LESSONS FROM GEORGE W. BUSH

Having just returned from Blue Ridge ( we are moving there in 2 weeks, I was happy to see the train up, and running with long lines waiting to board.

What a beautiful town, in a beautiful area. Blue Ridge is a gem to be appreciated, and it sounds as if many, many of you do.

My fiancee was born and raised there, and I eagerly await our move to this wonderful community.

We have found nothing but kindness, hospitality, and genuine good people everywhere we go in Fannin County.

Hats off to the residents who care enough to speak up about their town!

I have read the above comments with much interest. Being born and raised in Blue Ridge and living here for the first 25 years of my life, I love this town and the people in it. This has very little to do with the train, since it was non existant in my years here.

I don’t pretend to understand politics or taxes or any of the things I have heard about thus far. I’m a nurse. I went into nursing precisely because I do not understand, nor do I care about such things. It’s all over my head. What I do know is this:

I remember when Blue Ridge was a nondescript town, at times not even located on a map.

I remember a downtown that was nothing special and in places run down and closed up. Before someone feels the need to defend the town, let me say that charm is found in many places.

The beauty of Fannin County lies in the majestic surroundings and in the people. I have lived all over the east. Never have I found a place that offers the fishing streams, hiking, the beauty in autumn and spring, the lush valleys and regal mountain tops ( okay, hills to people further up the appalachians) that instill such a sense of awe.

Personally I love the fact that we have a train now. I think it is something that can do nothing but benefit our area. Look at the comments from so many people not from our area. To me, that speaks volumes. I admit, I’m still reeling from the fact that one family had to pay $500 to take a train ride, but that being said, if something works, don’t mess with it.

Blue Ridge needed an injection of new interest. Desperately. I cannot imagine that leaders in the community would want to see that go away. What is the alternative? To be forever cast back to our roots of anonymity and poverty?

I can only imagine if there is a new tax in the works fot the train it must mean we must need money. Please do not bite the hand that feeds us. Those of us born to this area know how special it is. Having been away for several years, no one is more acutely aware of that than myself.

If the train is what draws outsiders, I say, let them come. By hook or by crook, once here, I am confident the county will seep into their souls. And our trusted town will live on.

Please think about what your doing.

Sheryl Turner Elkins

I have a weekend place that I pay a lot of taxes for that I am not being a burden on the public services for. I say let the government work on the budget dollars they have. Leave the train alone, or let the politicians beware come election time.

The city of Blue Ridge must not be thinking. I am from florida and I accidently discovered Blue Ridge a few years ago and my family loves it. We have stayed there twice and are planning our third trip there in a month. The Railroad is such a delight for all age levels and a chance for some to experience something different. The city needs to re-evaluate this tax and think of the revenue they will lose from the train pulling out.

The train is still here for at least another 5 years it looks like - thankfully - the Blue Ridge Council and the Railroad got it all worked out earlier this year. And looks like there will hopefully be another train in the area soon with excursions through the Hiwassee River gorge from Copperhill to Etowah, TN. This section will also go around the famous Bald Mountain Loop and through some really breathtaking scenery that is really off the beaten track and quite beautiful.

JB

I’m going to close comments on this post; folks find this page through search engines and don’t see that it’s been resolved. TRAIN STAYS! Thanks for the summary John. I look forward to any details you can provide on the new excursions.