For those who think Atlas Shrugged was some kind of Novel >> Maine buys defunct rail line to preserve service

The beginning premise and battle in 1957's Atlas Shrugged for Dagny Taggart, and dangling bait of Francisco D'Anconia for her idiot PC brother James is the San Sebastian line.

Dagny Taggart wants to close this line which is losing money every day,or at least reduce service until it's costs equal it's revenue. This upsets the brother, the govt and the political system, all of which cannot bear to see these poor people on this line lose their service.

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Bangor Daily News:

The state has purchased 233 miles of northern Maine freight rail tracks deemed vital to Maine's economy from owner Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway for $20.1 million, officials said Tuesday.

Department of Transportation Commissioner David Cole signed the purchase agreement on Tuesday morning after MMA officials signed it Monday, officials said.

Gov. John Baldacci said the deal saved the tracks from an abandonment that would have been disastrous for the state's economy.

"This agreement will ensure that northern Maine continues to have access to rail service," Baldacci said in a statement. "Improved rail connections are critical to Maine's economy, and this line particularly will help to protect thousands of jobs and major employers in Aroostook and Penobscot counties.

"The economic impact of the successful rehabilitation of this line will be felt throughout Maine," he added. Robert C. Grindrod, the railroad's president and chief executive officer, did not immediately return messages seeking comment on Tuesday.

MMA sought federal approval in February to abandon the tracks, most of which run from Madawaska to Millinocket, by summer, citing losses of $4 million to $5 million annually. That deadline has been extended several times.

In case you missed it... MMA the commercial entity which has been TRYING TO ABANDON THIS MONEY LOSING LINE, FINALLY GOT PERMISSION AND I (and 1.3 million other Mainers) BOUGHT IT.

"It is good news that MMA and state officials have agreed to terms of transferring ownership of the rail line to the State of Maine. I urge the Surface Transportation Board to quickly review and approve the agreement so that the state can move forward with plans for track repair and rehabilitation," Sen. Susan Collins said in a statement.

That dirty despicable word profit is nowhere CONSIDERED, thought of, remembered, or plays a part in the future of this northern San Sebastian line.

This state, which according to Forbes IS THE WORST PLACE IN THE NATION for business and careers is in a death spiral where despite the incredible quality of life which can be had sees 25-30% of it's populace on some kind of federal and state aid. Some counties, Like Washington County have less than 300 non farm year round businesses, and most of those may be supermarkets, convenience stores, Walgreens and Rite-Aids. The federal govt is the largest employer. The people KNOW this is death but are afraid to vote for what they know is a painful and solitary way out.

The congresspeople are raging lefties and the repub senators, BELIEVE ME, are petrified to be who they really are.

Is this where the nation is headed?

Is this why Sestak, Manchin, Giannoulis, Murray, COnway et al have closed the gap?

If the majority of the nation is afraid of anything else but the vote for the govt teat, what is left but to let it all crash down as the hard working and productive, entrepreneurial and ingenious just lay back and wait for another day, another reality?

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