Yvrr.com
Title
Welcome To The Yosemite Valley Railroad Co.
Description
The Yosemite Valley Railroad Co. was formed when the "Merced Wild and Scenic River Act" was being drafted. The government, environmental groups, etc., were introducing a bill into Congress to designate the Merced River from El Portal to Lake McClure as a Wild and Scenic classification. In meetings and general discussions, a group was formed and a letter was written to encourage the Government not to exclude the possibility of a future rail system. We went as far as to suggest that the Government rebuild the Yosemite Valley line for the benefit of the public and Yosemite Park.
The more we were rejected, the more lobbying, and involved we got. After tracking down the original name and transferring it to our group, in 1990 we formed the Yosemite Valley Railroad Co. and filed as a California Corporation. The company's basic function is to be the catalyst to unite Federal, State, County, and Private enterprise to realize that the characteristics of the river will be preserved and enhance the goals of protecting the scenic Merced River and Yosemite Park for benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations by implementing this proposed train system. After two years, and thanks to Congressman Gary Condit, language was included in that Bill, not to exclude the possibility of a future rail system. It wasn't what we wanted, but it was a foot in the door.
During this period we formed a grassroots Membership (see Membership, Sponsors, Volunteers, and this effort would not be going today if it weren't for them. We have hundreds of Members and over Sixty thousand signatures in support of this project. And we haven't even touched the public at large (Our primary reason for being on the Internet). Unfortunately some key government players can't see the end of the tunnel where there is light. Our members make that light brighter with their letters of support.
