It's always a shame to see a tourist railroad having to close up shop, especially when it's less than an hour away. Today was the last public run on the Fillmore and Western Railway, and the discontinuation of operations wasn't even by choice. The lovely folks at the Ventura County Transportation Comission (specifically Executive Director Darren Kettle) have forced the Fillmore and Western Railway to discontinue operations, I'm sure you've all heard the back story.
With that said, I'd like to thank the Wilkinson Family at the Fillmore & Western Railway for operating the trains over the last two decades, it's sad to see you go. The turn out today for the last public run was fantastic, with plenty of people on the ground and onboard the train. It was great seeing all the people supporting the railway.
The Fillmore and Western isn't done yet, though. With plans to go to federal court to fight to keep the trains running, there is still hope for the Fillmore and Western. I wish them all the best in their ventures.
If you haven't signed the petition yet, please do. If our voices are heard, perhaps we can make a change. (https://www.change.org/petitions/ventura-county-transportation-commission-allow-fillmore-western-railway-to-continue-public-operations)
Thanks for reading and supporting the Fillmore and Western Railway!
