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Opponents of Houston-Dallas bullet train trumpet ruling that company is not a railroad

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Elderberry:
Houston Chronicle by  Dug Begley Feb. 11, 2019

The planned high-speed rail project from Houston to Dallas hit a big obstacle last week in rural Leon County when a judge there declared the project’s backers did not have authority to force landowners to sell or provide access to properties.

Opponents of the rail project on Monday cheered the ruling as a death knell for the line — albeit one that will take years to savor and finalize.

“This project cannot be finished without eminent domain and the project is completely off track,” said Blake Beckham, the Dallas lawyer who has represented opponents of the Texas Central Railway project.

Company officials said Monday many of the opponents’ claims and the significance of the ruling were exaggerated.

“Texas Central is appealing the Leon County judge’s decision and, meanwhile, it is moving forward on all aspects of the train project,” the company said in a statement.

The heart of many of the legal fights, and Monday’s decision, center on whether the company is, in fact, a railroad. Backers since 2014 have insisted the project — using Japanese bullet trains to connect Houston and Dallas via 90-minute trips as 220 mph — is a railroad and entitled to access to property to conduct surveys and acquire property via eminent domain.

“Texas has long allowed survey access by railroads like Texas Central, pipelines, electrical lines and other industries that provide for a public good and a strong economy,” the company said.

Opponents have insisted that since the company does not operate as a railroad, owns no trains and has not laid a single piece of track. it is not eligible for the access.

“Simply self-declaring that you are a railroad … does not make it so,” said Kyle Workman, one of the founders of Texans Against High-Speed Rail.

Judge Deborah Evans of the 87th District Court agreed, issuing an order Friday that found Texas Central and another company it formed “are not a railroad or interurban electric company.”

More: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/transportation/article/Opponents-of-Houston-Dallas-bullet-train-trumpet-13607501.php

Frank Cannon:
LOL. Doesn't sound like a railroad company. Sounds more like a bullshit taxpayer fleecing company.

Sanguine:

--- Quote ---— using Japanese bullet trains to connect Houston and Dallas via 90-minute trips as 220 mph —
--- End quote ---

If I remember correctly, these are used Japanese trains because the Japanese are upgrading and willing to sell the old ones, and the size of track isn't standard American track size.

Bigun:

--- Quote from: Amb. Frank Cannon on February 12, 2019, 01:34:13 am ---LOL. Doesn't sound like a railroad company. Sounds more like a bullshit taxpayer fleecing company.

--- End quote ---

B I N G O ! ! !

Smokin Joe:

--- Quote from: Amb. Frank Cannon on February 12, 2019, 01:34:13 am ---LOL. Doesn't sound like a railroad company. Sounds more like a bullshit taxpayer fleecing company.

--- End quote ---
Pretty nifty idea for a land grab...

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