Railroad Museum asks Potter County for easement to restore rail access; museum will pay installation costs

Representatives of the Railroad Museum explained that a switch removed by Burlington Northern Santa Fe before the county acquired adjoining land prevents the museum from accepting rail donations directly. Jerry Michaels, the museum’s treasurer, told commissioners the museum bought its property and is seeking an easement allowing permanent rail access; the museum offered to pay for installation and said it would work with a neighboring company (Elementus) for switching operations.

Michaels asked the court for permission to pursue an easement and to allow the county attorney to draft a license or easement document for future execution. County attorneys and commissioners discussed liability protections and the requirement that BNSF and the local track owner approve any physical work. "We have a switch. We pay for the installation. We just need permission to put that switch on Potter County property," Michaels said. The court did not vote on an easement at this meeting but instructed staff to draft language and return the item for formal consideration.