Published: January 14, 2008 09:34 am         

Scenic railroad enacts a six-year term limit

CUMBERLAND - Six years on one board is "more than adequate" for any one person to serve, Cole Brown believes.

That doesn't mean you aren't welcome to return after sitting out one year. It's just a way to bring fresh ideas and people to the table.

Brown, president of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, presented that observation during Thursday's monthly meeting. He said it's difficult to find qualified people and retain them and it doesn't make any sense to him to "shift" people in and out.

Six years, though, is ample time.

Using that formula, Doug Beverage, Gayle Griffith and Ray Shields are the closest to the end of their term with one year left. Dwight "Casey" Lambert, the mayor of Carpendale, W.Va., and Mark Farris are the board's newest members. The board, however, still has openings with Charlie Amos, Bob Smith and Jeff Walsh resigning.

The six-year term limit was included in the bylaws the group approved Thursday.

In his general superintendent's report, Frank Fowler discussed the 2008 season, including goals.

No injuries to employees and customers top the list along with no derailments or train failures. Another is to improve ridership by 15 percent. All, he believes, are attainable.

Fowler said the rest rooms at The Depot, which is owned by the county, need to be repaired. In one case, a door to a woman's stall fell off and hit an 82-year-old woman, he said. The platform at the Frostburg stop also needs to be extended.

Fowler also provided the group with information regarding last year's season. Coach riders were up from 28,363 in 2006 to 29,127 with first class riders, those who were served a meal on their trip, increased from 7,783 in 2006 to 7,859.

That equates to an increase in revenue with a bump from $749,059 to $755,546 for a difference of $6,487.

Merchandise sales, however, dipped nearly $10,000.

Donna Corley, the railroad's retail manager, attributes it to discounting Thomas the Tank Engine items 25 percent and ridership being down in May and June. Overall, though, riders spent close to $5 each.

Revenue for group sales also is up by $37,197.

Barb Buehl, board member, said she's anxious to see if the efforts of Ansel Shircliffe pay off in 2008. Shircliffe has attended numerous trade shows and made contact with several tour groups.

Also during the meeting, Mike Brant gave the financial report that shows the group has $365,000 in the bank versus $413,000 last year. Almost 100 percent of the difference, he said, is from the profit from Day Out with Thomas event. He also noted that from July to December, the railroad did not receive payment for any contract work.

That will change soon with four jobs and another due.

One is the St. Nicholas Mountain, an observation type car, that Dan Pluta, chief mechanical officer, believes is the shops' first international work. Owned by a man in Holland, the car's sister serves as a restaurant in the Midwest.

Brant also mentioned that fuel costs increased 5 percent.

Pluta said that staff planned well and had little fuel left over after the season. He noted, though, coal is to increase $10 a ton this year.

Overall, Brant said, the train "broke even" for the 2007 season.

Contact Maria Smith at msmith@times-news.com.