First up was a $100-million company that operates eight railroads in two countries, a firm that brought four of its top executives to town to try to answer any question posed to them, the Glens Falls, N.Y., Post-Star reports. Next was a train conductor from Pennsylvania who has no funding, no equipment and no experience running an operating railroad.

Warren County, N.Y., supervisors spent far more time on Nov. 12 listening to the former than the latter, as they tried to figure out who should run a railroad on the county-owned rail line next year. It was the board's first public meeting with the two companies, which submitted formal proposals to replace the group that has run the controversial Upper Hudson River Railroad for the past 12 years.

The first company to speak at the meeting, Iowa Pacific Holdings LLC. of Chicago, gave a presentation that lasted nearly 90 minutes, and its principals then spent 30 minutes in a closed-door executive session with supervisors. Company President Ed Ellis told supervisors the company believes it can make money by operating a railroad on the county-owned line. He said the connection to Saratoga Springs and freight rights on the line are necessary, and that there are opportunities for freight movement that he did not want to discuss publicly for proprietary reasons. The company would take care of railroad maintenance at its own cost.

"Our goal is for the railway not to cost Warren County a dime but to be a benefit," Ellis said.

He said freight transportation of logs and products from Barton Mines in Johnsburg were only part of the freight operation the company envisioned. But he said he did not want to publicly elaborate. Freight train traffic is going to increase in the coming years as the government imposes new regulations on trucking companies and restoring freight train service on the line will generate new jobs, Ellis said.

Iowa Pacific had proposed operating a ski train between Saratoga Springs and North Creek, where Gore Mountain Ski Center is located, that could start this year. But Ellis said that his company would likely start work in April or May if it is chosen. It also would bring popular, full-length "dome cars" with see-through roofs to the line.

Don Kress, president of Codorus Creek Railway of Pennsylvania, gave the second presentation. The long-time train conductor explained that he is waiting for funding in order to start service on the Codorus Creek line in central Pennsylvania, but that he would work with his father, a retired Wall Street executive, to raise money to get the Warren County operation off the ground. He proposed three passenger trains a day between Saratoga Springs and North Creek, as well as tourist trains.

"I know how to move people, and I know how to move people well," he said.

More than two dozens business leaders and railroad supporters attended the meeting and several said afterward that they were excited by Iowa Pacific's proposals. They were particularly excited about the possibility of dome car travel on the line.

"I was very impressed. He has his act together," said Helen Miner, president of the North Creek Depot Museum.

Two leaders of the county board were particularly impressed with Iowa Pacific's presentation but added that county officials plan to research both companies fully before making a decision.

Fred Monroe, the Chester Supervisor who is chairman of the county Board of Supervisors, said Iowa Pacific "covered all the bases" in his eyes.

"They seemed extremely knowledgeable, and I think they'd be a great choice," he said.

"If they can deliver what they say they can deliver, it could be great for Warren County," Queensbury Supervisor Dan Stec said.

No date was set for a follow-up meeting on the subject, but county leaders hope to have an agreement in place by the end of the year.