Scott from Accounting: Brian, you're down, I get it. You are beginning to know what you didn't know. We as subscribers are here to experience this with you and sincerely thank you for the journey. Again, we are a valuable resource in labor and knowledge just like that new engine. What we now Know: The answer I've learned is from Donald Wantola (with 66 likes so far) in that you are an "industrial switching line". I would take Chris DuPrey's knowledge where he is charged by Watco $400 per car. Shane Zee - is correct. As owner you work from above, not in. Your viewpoint is always looking vertically -focus on direction as on a map. Employees look sideways/horizontally and do the work - they fix death valley, you fix the business. I get it starting out you have to do both, but be willing to make the transition in perspective. And finally Grason (W.G. Chesnut) knows you are a contract switcher like him. Find guys smarter than me like Alan O'Rouke to get that business plan, an operational budget, and timeline to profit. Now we know what we need to know: 1. Find out who Watco is and their service. Visit them, study them. Not how they do - what they do. (different perspective) Ask questions, who do you recommend for a CPA, lawyer, insurance etc. 2. Visit Grason (W.G. Chestnut) ASAP to see Manatee Rail Group LLC. Get to Florida and soak it in!!! Don't focus on equipment but what they are doing - How can you do it as if they hired you to do it in Ohio. 3. Contact Donald Wantola, make a friend in the railroad business. 4. Paperwork: Incorporate. Accounting guys (CPA), railroad lawyer introduction. Do that business plan, an operational budget, and timeline to profit with the knowledge from Watco and Manatee. We always plan a trip to get anywhere. If Richard J Corman stayed on his backhoe he wouldn't have a company. Head up Boss. You got this. Get to work. :) Your pal, Scott from Accounting.

@eastterminalrailway5975

2 жыл бұрын

Scott A wealth of experience and advice, in one reply. Thank you, for the encouragement and great advice to look from above. I guess if R.J. Corman thought small and only kept a short horizontal view we would have never heard of him. Also thanks for correctly spotting the goal, the premise of this channel. Can can a RR be revived, under normal circumstances, with an average person on point? ( Knowing I am above average in some areas and below in others, equaling = average ) Thank you to the whole ETR Nation! Brian

@georgecarter838

2 жыл бұрын

I was late to reply my advice, but Scott mainly said to you what I would have: that your operation fits into an industrial line. It has it's advantage in that you don't pay into Railroad Retirement, but you would take out the usual taxes for social security. One thing I always stressed like Scott, is you need to get a knowledge on the business day to day operations first, before you get into the mechanical operations. Yes, both are equal to running, but having what a business needs (planning, budgeting, insurance, ect...) is first. My 34 years in the freight railroading opened my eyes to just what a railroad needs and it's a lot. Like Scott said, talk to as many independent operators and get as much advice as you can. I know it's tough and a headache at times, but it will help you further down the line. Like Red Green once said; "We're all in this together, and I'm rootin' for you!"

@wilfred8326

2 жыл бұрын

@@eastterminalrailway5975 you are not just "Average" due to the way your talents are "distributed" you are "above average" as we are both Generation X'ers and could I buy a RR? You know what makes you smarter? You recognize your shortcomings! What you could likely do is modify your business model used for your Car Rerail/Door business, and if you have an accountant who bills for that 🤔 use them? Sales, you are already aware of many plants with and w/o rail as you live close to your RR I assume. Always handout business cards. If you gain a customer give them some ETR swag. Remember don't think of just customers who are right on the ETR Spur, think about customers who have no RR spur. Many people have mentioned RJ Corman, he could have chosen to "stay on his backhoe" but he did more and built more. Right now I am reading about the Pinsly Shortline Empire. They chose to keep themselves relevant instead of just being a group of RR's by going the extra mile and opening up a subsidiary RDS (RR Distribution Services) a warehouse for lumber and other items. The key with RDS as highlighted in the book was to be better at warehousing lumber and Distribution to stores (Lowes) than Lowes own warehouse! Another shortline was virtually like yours, in that it came back from the dead here in Massachusetts, the Grafton and Upton, they built a Propane facility, a road-salt facility, a warehouse to unload lumber. There is a chemical transfer yard.... I have never worked the office side of a RR, but the office side of Military Transportation 🪖 using "green assets" (no billing as we were in a Warzone or exercises) but tracking and routing of cargo and assets (the trucks that hauled cargo) was key.

@eugenetswong

10 ай бұрын

Scott, thanks for chiming in to help him. His work means a lot to me. Therefore, your contribution means a lot to me.

@eugenetswong

10 ай бұрын

​@@georgecarter838 and Wilfred, thank you also.

Hi Brian, just wanted to pass on some suggestions for you to consider, as someone with shortline railroad experience my advise is consider creating an LLC that is an industrial switching company here is why: ETR fits the definition as it only goes a short distance to potentially switch customers Under generally accepted operating practice of how railroads work ETR doesn't "leave the station", a station being 2 points on a railroad ETR stays in the 3 mile limit FRA established as a "interchange move" ETR has no public road crossings As an industrial switching line with no "main track" you could be exempt from FRA regs and STB jurisdiction. As you explained being "last mile, first mile" you cant participate in rate negotiation what you can do is charge a switch fee to customers on a per car basis.

@jonathanparker2939

2 жыл бұрын

Listen to this man.

@hamiltonsullivan6563

2 жыл бұрын

Makes perfect sence

@EKSgarage

2 жыл бұрын

Best advice to give!! Well said!! that’s how my business partner and I’S railroad works. Little guys like us get the slice of the pie in some way shape or form. Because of that I’m a strong proponent to see the ETR Successful

@FiveStringCommando

2 жыл бұрын

I think this is spot on. Additionally, there is another comment to reach out to local politicians who might be able to help ease the burdens in the name of economic growth. Combine these two, and you’ll be off and running. One thing I would advise is to set your rates for track maintenance and sell it “at a discount” to your customers in addition to your switching services. I also like the idea you had to offer loading/unloading services. Whether you charge by car or opt to charge an average, you make more money when you offer more services. As long as you’re making money overall, you can offer some services at a deeper discount to attract a customer, “split” the ROW maintenance costs, and then make more money on other services, you’ll do good. It’s similar to how gas stations make such little money on gasoline to make a bunch of money in the convenience store. Final thought: Don’t be afraid to ask for the sale. “I’d sure like to do some work for you.” -RJ Corman

@cybertrk

2 жыл бұрын

Is he able to charge holding/storage cost or could he get trapped with units that simply enter with a switch fee and don’t leave? (Not familiar with this exact pricing model but interested to learn)

Brian my railroad charges direct to the customer ! As we are in the same boat and cannot charge for the final mile even tho we originate and terminate freight. we are set up exactly as you are we cannot charge final mile but we can charge a fair final spot rate as we operate primarily in an existing rail spur and Industrial park we currently serve the two onsite rail customers. We’re not considered STB class 3 however we’re considered a Contract switcher. Which helped with insurance. Best advice is talk with your CPA about setting up a railroad attorney on retainer we keep one and our first conference with ours was free. It’s worth it it makes life easier. As for your maintenance strategy you are absolutely correct our customers help pay for maintenance considered joint usage. It can be done you guys have it better in some ways more equipment than we do in some areas for sure. Love your 45 tonner we only use a 5tm but we’ve moved 300+ rail cars to date been at it two years and all our track work is done by hand. Honestly I admire your spirit in this. You guys can make it just keep doing what you’re doing . Tbh I’m curious how you get some of your boxcar door work would love to get into that. If you’re ever back in Florida I invite you out to our railroad to look around as each has a lot in common Our Manatee Rail Group LLC Team wishes the ETR a safe week and happy railroading! Grayson

Don't under sell yourself Brian, you are better than you know.

@eastterminalrailway5975

2 жыл бұрын

Thank You!

I'm a retired sales manager; I suggest that you be sure everyone you know understands that doing business with you is an opportunity for profit for some industry in Columbus. Always have a business card. Ask your existing customers for rail services who they know that might use your services.Your opening question for any business conversation is "How well is trucking serving your needs?" In short, tell lots of people what you do and allow the lucky ones to sell you on doing business with them. I guess you will speak to more than 100 people before you get a good lead. It's hard work, good luck.

Every single one of you, Who are offering advice and offering help and trying to point him/them In the right direction, You all are awesome people. Thank you, NODS

Take THE ETR SAFETY CONE and use it as a megaphone to shout "We CAN do this!". God Speed ETR!

@eastterminalrailway5975

2 жыл бұрын

Good idea Peter, together we can!

Set up as a scenic historical society railway. FROM there as you run trains, you can run freight on the sight

At the very least, your venture calls attention to the bureaucracy pretty much every business has to navigate. Regulations always favor larger entities who have the financial strength to weather relentless fees and fines imposed by various levels of government. That said, you might get help from local politicians and government grants for spurring economic growth.

@RussellNelson

2 жыл бұрын

"That's why we need lots of regulations to constrain big business" -- young people with no business experience.

@ClockworksOfGL

2 жыл бұрын

In defense of the regulations: once upon a time, the railroads were very big and very mean. Just imagine if Comcast was the only company around to ship your products.

@yankee1789

2 жыл бұрын

@@ClockworksOfGL You're right, but now they have been weaponized by Big Business

Hey Brian, Dave at ccrx 6700 has a great video posted where he's marking ties for replacement. Definitely worth the watch.

Remember, people believe in what your doing because you believe in what your doing! Your a smart guy, and you are capable of things you can’t imagine, and that’s only because you haven’t done them yet. CARPE DIEM!

@eastterminalrailway5975

2 жыл бұрын

Huge encouragement, when I needed it! Thank you so much. B.

So glad to see that smile at the end Brian. Here in Oz we have a campaign that says it's ok to ask a mate 'R U OK?' Seriously mate you had me worried throughout this weeks bulletin. Lighten up on yourself a bit! Keep the faith in yourself strong and share the load with 25K of us around the world who really want to see this happen and will do what we can to help you make it so.

@eastterminalrailway5975

2 жыл бұрын

christopher Even your kind words are a huge encouragement. Brian

Who gave this thumbs down!?!? At this point, if you don't like Brian's videos, you probably could have stopped watching by now. :D

Another company to research is Progressive Rail. They operate shortline/terminal/spur lines all over the Midwest (and other areas) many of which were obtained from the Class I lines because they didn't want to mess with the low volume of traffic on them. They offer all and more of the services you want to do with ETR. On the line closest to me it used to be all jointed 90# rail and a rollercoaster ride at 10 mph. But they rebuilt part of the line so now the Class I they interchange with hands off a grain train with road locomotives for them to fill at their new grain terminal. The rest of the line is still the rickety rollercoaster rail but they don't currently have enough business to justify the cost of upgrading the rest of the line yet. They are slowly working on getting more business so they can do that but it's just like your situation, slow steady progress. As Red Green said "we're here rootin' for ya!"

The fact is you are living the American dream. I have loved railroads since I saw my first one, 80 years ago. I remember a track gang building a spur into a coal mining town in the 40's. I was fascinated just as I am watching your videos. When it was completed and that big black steam engine brought in the first empty hoppers I was ecstatic. I feel the same way watching you guys. Oh will that be a great day when your engine moves the first cars and it will happen. R. J. Corman didn't quit and I believe you won't either.

In Junior High School, circa 1978, when I expressed a desire to work on the railroad, the only input I got was: railroads are a dying mode of transportation with no future. Well... they were wrong. Railroading is in my DNA. We are close to you. (I've mapped the ETR on my Google Earth.) If you need another pair of hands, let me know.

Nice thoughtful video. A friend of mine in his mid-eighties died last week. He started out as a salesman and then bought a Michigan propane company. After his wife died of cancer, he sold his propane company and bought acreage in Missouri. He had a cattle farm. Ten years ago he subdivided 1200 acres which was a portion of his farm and sold it for 3 million plus. The point is he was a go getter and was a natural business manager. Eaglegards...

👍Good luck from former Stationmaster in Sweden

Brian, Mike here from the Round House, I have enough busted knuckles🤕 over my 65 years, and as an ex- Ironworker and Jack of all trades I speak volumes, so here is a Tech tip "Ratchet" try one they are a god sent 😇. You keep me always looking to your next episode in your adventure of a dream in motion.I wished our county fathers had had the fore site when RR was in its break down demise in the late 1960's to have had the ingenuity and risk taking to have bought up some of the abandoned lines that went thru some beautiful areas and would definitely be earning MO money now in these industrial parks with no RR vision , rather than trucks , old story Teamsters against RR, point her into the wind for take off.

I wish you guys the best of luck. I’m pulling and praying for you guys

Your'e an inspiration, going to buy a RR, and you and your son are doing all the work yourselves! That takes balls. I never would have tried, but I'm not a risk taker, I'm a work for the man type, not rich, not happy. I hope you get everything going YOUR way!

@eastterminalrailway5975

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark, this is outside the normal risk assessment envelope. Brian

@wilfred8326

2 жыл бұрын

@@eastterminalrailway5975 Well.... you have some knowledge so that decreases the risk. If anything, we had a saying Army, Crawl, Walk, Run! You are still in your Crawl Stages.... If You want to at least find a way to increase your revenues, potentially invest in building a new Siding and get Metal Prefab or Cinderblock Enginehouse/Carshop as ETR "Headquarters" and as a sideline to your other business, set up shop here sooner than later with repairs etc offered. I am not sure where your connection's shop is or if you would be in competition but sometimes a car simply needs to be removed from train for repair.

Brian, I wanted to take a moment and express my thoughts. Currently, my father is in hospice and has very little time left. Unfortunately, it really doesn’t have much of an effect upon me. Him and I never got along, I can’t really say I even know him. My father’s view of anything is strictly black and white, zero room for gray. So if someone doesn’t share the exact same viewpoints as him, then to him they’re a fool and useless. As you can imagine, my father will leave this life soon with very very few people even noticing his absence. In contrast, I see you and Graham and from the very first video I watched, it was clear as day, you and your son have a beautiful bond. You respect one another and share in one another’s dreams and goals. Surely y’all have conflicts but I’d bet the farm that y’all always are able to solve them because your relationship is constructed upon a foundation of mutual respect. That’s a beautiful thing. Many things in this life simply can’t be measured in terms of dollars or gold or stock etc, no, they are priceless. So, despite any business and financial hardships that you and Graham may encounter, at least from my perspective, y’all are extremely wealthy men.

@eastterminalrailway5975

2 жыл бұрын

Well that's humbling to read, I value Graham's and my relationship very highly ( and over success or failure here on the ETR.) As men that's often a lesson we learn too late. Thanks for sharing openly from your life experiences and wisdom. Brian

@ThePaulv12

2 жыл бұрын

It is very obvious to me in spite of the relationship with your father that you are a compassionate, empathetic and caring person. These qualities are strengths. We all have faults but it's the people who refuse to look at themselves that are the weak and you're certainly not that. My father believed if he didn't see the need for something then no one else needed it either but more seriously I had another close family member that had what would now be termed as having Narcissism Personality Disorder or NPD. NPD is far more pernicious than just garden variety narcissism. People with NPD believe they're superior to all others, they're highly manipulative, use coercive control on other family members or workmates, are often uncontrollably physically or verbally violent behind closed doors yet in public they project an outgoing confident persona so convincingly, that those that don't really know them can't fathom their violence. They're all about control. They are compassion sinks but are only capable of compassion when they have an audience otherwise they're utterly bereft of it. It is all a game of usurping with them and they're trying to fill a bottomless hole within themselves. It really is a game to them. The game of power. They are drawn like moths to the flame when they detect a person of low self confidence - they can't help themselves. It turns on the coercive control button in them like a light switch where they can draw attention to themselves at the expense of the victim often with all others laughing at you. If these 'others' are family members, then they're scared it'll be them next so they don't help you. You might develop resentment to those family members who failed you at these times. This is the game. They break up, divide, ruin - all while deriving a vicious thrill. This is the power of the narc. Thing is people with NPD are compensating for the fact that deep down where they refuse to look, they are absolute nobodies. The causes? Who knows! Perhaps a parent with NPD or a violent upbringing of some description. Children of traumatized war vets sometimes develop it. You can't ever get through to them because their perfection is absolute. Denial becomes weaponized. In my case when that family member died (2 decades ago) I breathed a sigh of relief as the abuse just stopped, however more generally patterns begun in formative years can linger on after the person passes. By your description I can feel some resonance. Look after yourself man!

A glum business report, but I would still buy stock! 🚂

Brian, you're a success. You and Graham have done a fabulous job. There will be ups and downs. Derails. But remember why you began this journey from before day one. The whole class 3 relegated to billing for services is a big bump. No getting around that. My thought is, if your passion is as strong now as when the idea came to be, do everything you can as you have been, to be prepared for the day when the dam breaks for opportunity . You made the best business decision by holding of on the valley. Now just continue working on what is feasible. You're early still in the process. Things may turn up hopefully as word is spread. Don't second guess. Only press forward. Stay happy

I'm impressed at your effort to rebuild a rail line and start serving customers. Since you are looking for a lawyer, I know of a book, "The Right Way to Hire Financial Help." My dad gave me a copy years ago and its been very helpful to me. I am rooting for you.

I wish I could own my own railroad

I feel like I slept through part of the movie. I thought your plan in the beginning was to store excess rail cars on your little spur. I watched you and Graham do a hell of a lot of work cleaning up the line and buying equipment. I missed the part about others having right of way access to your rails. Anyway, you have to be impressed with the quality of advice you have drawn with this video update. Best of luck.

You guys do not give up! I am with you and for you!

I work for a small time common carrier outfit. We have one customer, yes our rates are in addition to the Class I and Interchanging short line, but there still is something of a go that can be made from the car hire from customers. Don't need to be scared of the feds, all the inspectors i've met are more excited to know you're trying to be in compliance vs ignoring what they have to say. Keep your head down, you'll do just fine.

Thank you for sharing. Enjoyed, just keep plugging away, your rewards are just around the bend.

@eastterminalrailway5975

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Will do!

Perhaps, it is time to get it together and add a business person to your team who can take that side of the business. From what I see on other short lines is that they all have a business side partner with authority in the group. Good luck don't give up your dream.

I couldn't do it anymore, I can barely walk across the road now. But my first off the farm job was helping replace a CSX railroad bridge back in 1982, back then I could out work a mule. I think you're doing fine as you are.

Stay the course, time is in your favor

You can do it. I have been with you from the start and have enjoyed all your videos. Keep up the good work.

You did the right thing sir, never doubt yourself. I've been there, I've been in business, had to hold strong when things were difficult, and I know that you can do it! May God bless you and may your dreams come true! A gantry crane may not be as expensive as you would think. Many years ago, we built a shop for roll-off trucks, 6 bays as I recall, and the whole thing was built out of used materials. Another shop that we worked on was a guy that had built a shop that had double cylinder lifts that were able to lift a Cat D6! I'm retired, I have time on my hands and I'm willing to give you advice if you want it. Keep up the good work! Bee Enn

@jd3497

2 жыл бұрын

He may be able to find a suitable traveling gantry at an auction. In addition to the purchase, there's the cost of rigging (dismantle/load), trucking and assembly at ETR, then there's the cost of constructing a suitable road base for it to operate on. While it could pay off in time, right now it's another money pit, when money for ties and ballast seem somewhat nonexistent.

Appreciate your honesty and your self awareness. Keep pressing on and don't let the setbacks get you down.

love watching

Good day, been watching and believe you will get there. It's a long trip and take it a day at a time so to speak. Don't get discouraged. Your doing a great job.

@eastterminalrailway5975

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that!

Love the videos

Thx4 living our dream! Blessings.

Fully engaged w/ ETR Channel since day one, Mr. Brian and Mr. Graham! You’re doing a fine job and success will come I do believe. Full support! -CG

Keep up the good work. 👍

Wishing you much success !

Keep up the good work. I know it is a bit of a rough patch now, but as you said, you have almost 25,000 people cheering you on now. Keep up the hard work!

Brian love the show keep going 👏. Don't be so hard on yourself.

Thank you Brian. I enjoy these videos and I look forward to seeing what you do next.

@eastterminalrailway5975

2 жыл бұрын

Greg Its a journey and you have been here to see it thus far, lets see what's around the next corner. B.

I've watched your videos since the first one. You and your son have made tremendous progress. You guys are awesome! I know your hitting bumps in the road but in the long term I think adventure will turn out great. Keep moving along at your own pace and I think you and you company will be fine. I will be watching. Have a great day.

I love your videos and have been subscribed for 8 months for this long journey on restoring this line, don’t give up man!!

@eastterminalrailway5975

2 жыл бұрын

Thank You for believing, I know we are going in the right direction, and the best rewards come from the toughest battles. Brian

@IvanTimber

2 жыл бұрын

@@eastterminalrailway5975 thanks dude!

I wish you the best in what ever you do with your railroad

@eastterminalrailway5975

2 жыл бұрын

Jason Thanks for being a friend. B.

Sir: You are doing an amazing job! What you have accomplished thus far is like a Disney movie about family, how to positively cope with adversity, identifying a refined sense of purpose, encountering a groundswell of support from your fans worldwide, and the line’s first paying customer (regardless if trans load, long-term railcar storage, or activation of a spur by a customer). 👍🏽👍🏽

Good luck ... Thx for sharing ...

I appreciate your never give up attitude keep working hard only good will come out of that in the end.

@eastterminalrailway5975

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bruce!

Good one good luck with the railroad looking forward to seeing it up and running I enjoy watching you repair equipment Pete from australia

Great video

Bria your optimism encourages me. I know that you can do this. It will work and our thoughts and prayers are with you. 👍👍👍❤️

Keep the faith!

Keep up the good work! And thanks for the update. Funny story I was sporting my ETR shirt when camping last week. Someone in passing noticed and said hey I watch them guys too. With that in mind I believe your a better salesman then you may know. Yes two 30something guys from Wisconsin ain't got business for you but your name is out there. Cheers from Wi.

You may have put the cart before the horse, but then you might not be building the ETR. BTW I like White Castle, and since we don’t have one here in Little Rock, I buy frozen ones in the Grocery store.

Hi 👋🏻 Brian. So glad I’m on your journey with you 😀 Good luck and God bless 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Class act Brian

Looking forward to see that rail tie gadget in action bro. Safe travels

keep on keeping on if you are doing the best you can do not downplay your accomplishments

Hello from the Netherlands, love watching your video’s 👍

@eastterminalrailway5975

2 жыл бұрын

Fokko Thanks for following! Brian

Thanks for the videos, Brian. Jon, on the U.P., Pacific Coast Line, Santa Barbara Sub, M.P. 404.5

Red tape sucks big time, i love watchin your video's, i ran my own company for years, if you need any help with the paperwork let me know ok

Sending Best Wishes, Happy Thoughts, and a few Prayers your way for complete success. Been a subscriber for quite a while now, and always look forward to a new video. Hope to see 2021 in action soon.

@eastterminalrailway5975

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

Love this rail guy myself

You saying that the business owners or property owns have tracking rights & may have to split the bill of maintenance, that's fine but don't let that stop in repairing the track there is many other things that can pay for. Get your track equipment up & running any delays might hurt. They pay for ties & other rail pieces that will need. KEEP that dream alive. I leaved closer I would definitely like to give you a hand with your maintenance. If your interested I have some railroad tools? Great videos & great job 👏 🚂👍👍

like your video's a lot, find them very interresting, greetings from Belgium, Europe

@eastterminalrailway5975

2 жыл бұрын

Paul Glad you like them! Brian

Here’s the definition of luck that I subscribe to “luck is when opportunity and preparedness cross paths” It works well!

Hi Brian, the invaluable asset you have is the relationship you & Graham have, as has already been pointed out by other subscribers. It works better than the best of business partners in so many cases! That said, early videos show Graham working with steel demolition, yes? A thought, what if you could bring in old railcars and just cut them up for scrap, sell the material to meal recyclers?

Brian, I'm with Scott on this regarding the business plan. Have you created one, an operational budget, and timeline to profit? There are people with that knowledge that can help you. I'm happy to travel to your location on my dime to work and help put this together. I'm sure there's others here that could help mentor you as well. Let me know if interested and we can talk off line.

@scotthibbs

2 жыл бұрын

Scott from Accounting: My suggestion? I'm just eating the donuts and doing training. Yes. Please. A business plan, operational budget, and timeline to profit. Exactly. Immediately. I can't do these thing effectively by myself but willing to travel with Alan on my own dime to help.

As an Entrepreneur, you can choose to work IN your business or ON your business - and there is a difference. Working on your equipment and track, etc, means you are working IN your business, but working ON your business means working on sustaining (cash flow), sales and growth business opportunities -- Over time as the business evolves and develops, sometimes you have to pick a lane . -- Love your channel == best of luck as you continue.

hi Brian, just watching you and listening to your comments, now I am really ignorant to the "operating" of the railway by the USA transport rules and regulations, BUT, I just feel that there are enough people who are in the "membership" of your followers who, can and will give you good , sound advice - freely!! I am sure that as you are being so honest and open about the present and future situation(s) of your branch line operations. Be pleasently surprised!! So enjoying your video(s) - best wishes from Lincolnshire - UK.

It is an awesome project! Hope it all works well for yas! 😎👍

@eastterminalrailway5975

2 жыл бұрын

I still in the fight! B.

We're with you. There are people out there who can help. With "no income" it is difficult to get started in any business. The banks want your first born to get started. Perhaps you can get an investor for a percentage. They don't want to hang around long so you need a business plan . You may have to get an accountant, a lawyer ,👎, a sales person to start. How about giving stock as pay for these first people to start with. Silicone valley cook's start that way. With this, it's "part time work" so retired people might be interested. See what Linkton has in that area and fully vet them. Good luck.

The RJ Corman story is really cool! I watched that sometime ago, what an outfit they have become.

Thanks for sharing. Love the adventure. From the ETR Marketing Department. 1. Post the videos to Rumble. Minimal effort to get a little more revenue from the videos. 2. Contact every building supply business in the area that does not have rail service. Offer to spot centerbeam cars for off loading. They could off load with their fork trucks. Hopefully they would have their own insurance. Minimal revenue. But quick easy sell. Also have seen hopper cars off loaded direct to truck. Once word of the ETR's wold class service gets out.Business will flourish.

You could also make it a propane Transfer Station from Railcar to tankers. the East Penn railroad has one in Avondale Pennsylvania the seems to stay pretty busy....

rule#1--- dont ever give up!

from someone with a sales backgroung would suggest that you talk to the people at the bakery and ask what their concerns are and if they have any questions? do not try to sale them something just look for info and offer to get any info they may need , have you talked to anyone at the Gand W sales dept? Best of luck I always look forward to the next video. Thanks

Cool 😎

Do what you got to do, good luck.

whoever has "rights" on your RR may be willing to sign away those "rights". easy way to find out, is send 'em a bill for work done so far. if they pay, great. if they squawk, offer them an easy out. keep on keepin' on my friend.

I’d be very leery of those that say you’d be a plant railroad. I’d strongly suggest they read “49 CFR § 242.7 - Definitions” and learn what a plant railroad is per the FRA. You aren’t a railroad owned by a manufacturer or facility that serves only that manufacturer within the plant boundaries plus any leased track. In the eyes of the FRA and STB, you’ll be a common carrier on the general system. Per the AAR, you’d be classed a terminal or switching railroad. Very simply put, the FRA deals with safety, the STB deals with commerce, and the AAR defines interchange standards. They all work in concert. You’ll have to work with all three. To clarify, compliance with the FRA even as a plant railroad, you’d still fall under what we call “FRA Lite”. You get exempted from some rules but others still apply. But, have an accident with a reportable injury, death or loss of property under exempted rules and see who shows up to see what’s going on.

There is a yard crane sitting abended in Sandyville Ohio right by Sandy TWP offices

Wait… someone owns that building and those rights now, you need to go after them immediately to terminate their rights or pay up! You are in a GREAT position from a negotiation standpoint. You also definitely should be recording all your labor on time sheets against the company you formed. These videos are also great labor evidence. Record everything! You need to speak with a competent attorney and cpa.

@cybertrk

2 жыл бұрын

Honestly I wish I would have known your situation on day 1 of buying the property. I would have told you to do absolutely 0 work on it and first start generating estimates on the cost to bring the rail back to useable state. That is the best time to take those quotes to the liable businesses and convince them to either terminate their rights or pay up! This can still be salvaged and if there’s a way to get in contact and mentor you guys I’m more than happy to help. I’m the soft hand enthusiast that has years building, operating, and selling businesses.

@freefall2003

2 жыл бұрын

You also risk loosing any chance of a customer to service

@cybertrk

2 жыл бұрын

@@freefall2003 that’s completely untrue. If there is a contract for maintenance it would be foolish to not to enforce it or allow the counter party to negotiate out of it. Heck, I’d even make them pay to terminate their rights if they want to release their liability. The land owner isn’t going to be the business tenant obviously so there is low risk of business relational damage.

@zaklex3165

2 жыл бұрын

I think you misunderstood Brian...and it's not the owners of the buildings...unless you're familiar with the kinds of rights he was talking about I would refrain from commenting and offering advise, especially bad advise like yours. There's another way of looking at it that you completely miss(if your even close to being right) and that is doing all the repairs ahead of time and then going to the customers and showing them how you saved them money...that's a lot more effective than forcing the give up their rights or forcing them to pay up.

@cybertrk

2 жыл бұрын

@@zaklex3165 that’s absolutely backwards. Business is about leverage and those who don’t use it properly are financially destroyed. Using an approach of weakness will definitely create the highest probability of failure. No one is going to pay you out of kindness, everything is contracts.

Keep at it you can do it cheers

I hope your not beating yourself up my friend. Your a good guy and in the end that’s all that matters. God bless

@eastterminalrailway5975

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Andy.

Easier said than done, but, you need to bridge the gap by mentioning your offerings and how these offerings can relieve a potential customers’ needs/pains. Being a family business/smaller railroad IS appealing to customers! Wish you luck!

Man this sounds complicated more now than before. I would just keep moving forward see how it all plays out

I tried to start a rail car storage in Pittsburgh. A representative from NS said that you don’t need to be a classified as a “railroad“. (Means you have no class…lol). Less regulations and costs.

I would be surprised if there isn't an Industry Association for small short-line railroads and STB Class 3 railroads. These organizations of 'birds of a feather' are invaluable in both their representation of members before governmental entities and helping organize members for better leverage against insurance companies, etc. Please look around to see if there is an association that would consider your railroad one of their prime members. It would really help you with rules and regulations.

As a point of reference, Watco usually charges us a $400.00 fee to deliver or take a car at their facility since we don't own a rail spur. Also on the business end, I would incorporate (an S Corp may be sufficient) to give you some level of protection. Lastly, maybe check with other class 3 railroads about who does their insurance. Insurance rates are based on many things including gross revenue and are very subjective based on who the underwriter is. If the underwriter for your policy is familiar with railroads and railroad operations that's a huge plus. I could talk for hours about the business side of things but I would probably bore you to death.

That's clever as all get out checking that fine print and putting that trackage rights clause in to action for your benefit.

I like the term you used” Inhibitor to Business”…. There are some out there as you are finding out. I’m not sure that if I had the same opportunity to purchase the railroad… would I? I guess two factors would determine that, A. I had a lot of money to throw at it and just wanted a hobby., B. I actually saw an opportunity to generate revenue and could put some backbone in it to make it happen. I really don’t know much about getting customers for railroad freight, but my due diligence of the opportunity would have to determine, is there a need for this service and also why did it get abandoned with potential freight customers there? I wish you the best of luck in overcoming the “Inhibitors” and making a success of your railroad….it is really a cool project!!

It all takes time and thought.

Two cents for you, and that's about what it's worth: You sound tired and a little worn. Good! My experience has been, when dealing with ALL the external entities, and their restrictions, requirements, stipulations, logistics, etc.. if an endeavor is worth it to you, it will pound you and you will work the details, analyze and yield a result if it is worth it! Watching your videos and listening to your goals, I think it is; but you have to think the goal is worth the journey. Good fortunes to you and your family!

Yeah that rj corman video is quite touching. I’ve watch it 4 times. Lol.

@eastterminalrailway5975

2 жыл бұрын

He was amazing, but if you listen and watch closely, there were many times he wasn't going to make it, but he never gave up and always found a way. A hero it that regard. Brian

Hi ETR, Just wanted to mention some other Trans Loading Services \ Storage that you may have not thought about. Bulk plastic beads used for injection molding, there are 2 operations that i know of in my area that seem to be doing good. you will need to have a parallel road next to the track for the bulk tanker trucks to connect to the rail cars. But i have seen a scale on site for the trucks, this would be the most expensive investment needed? The other is Sheetrock, but a forklift and probably weather protected storage might be needed? hopefully you can get something going, Good Luck.