Fred:
What I would like to see is an independent industry in the area that has no attachment to the railroad industry that could employ the railroad personel during the off season from year to year. Something that can be depended upon.
There are many industries with off cycle sales that don't match the production cycle and essentially produce to an inventory float and then ship from the float. Toys are an example as are many holiday products. We have a paper plant here that produces tissue paper. They produce all year long but 75 % of their sales are in the third quarter of the year in advance of the holiday season.
What we need is a business with no railroad connections that ships year round but only produces during the winter. Maybe they could make pepper jelly. At least it requires local materials.
Come on guys, someone has some ideas.
Frank