ATLANTIC CENTRALWhat kind of cars do you all drive?
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Who cuts your lawn?
ATLANTIC CENTRALHow big is your house?
ATLANTIC CENTRALDid you "just have to have" those granite counters? Maybe a lifetime roof would be a better investment?
ATLANTIC CENTRALHow do you heat it?
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Cool it?
I might add that almost all of my lighting is LED, inside and out, with a few flourescents still in service. I also air dry my cold-water washed laundry for as much of the year as I can.
It is the little things, even if most of what I do is to save me money, not save the environment...
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Thanks Larry, ok, I'll answer my survey.
I drive a 2015 FORD F250 4x4 extended cab, 8' bed 6.2 liter V8 - I need it for my construction business. It replaced a 2000 F150 that lasted 240,000 miles.
For pleasure/personal use the wife and I share a 2015 FORD FLEX LIMITED AWD Eccoboost "station wagon" (cause tha's what it really is). She has rheumatoid arthritis and needs a comfortable car with easy entry/exit. We care for grandchildren, and the last one just like it (a 2012) saved their lives in a crash.
And, it is fun to drive the 15 sec 1/4 mile turbo charged station wagon.........
I cut my 2.3 acre lawn with a 1995 GRAVELY G series riding tractor, still runs like new, will last the rest of my life. It was the first one I needed, and I bought something good enough to be the last one I would need. It also will blow and/or plow pretty much any snow. I have cleared 30" snows at our old house from 7,000 sq ft of driveway. A machine built to last.
I now live in a 2,200 sq ft brick rancher built in 1964. Well cared for, well updated, but not over the top. It has a 1600 sq ft basement that will be my new model train room, and I plan to build a 900 sq ft detached garage. The rancher is our retirement spot after spending 24 years here:
In 1995 we purchased and restored this 1901 gem, if you would like a detailed look, just search up 2422 Rocks Road, Forest Hill. MD. You will find nearly 100 pictures.
The Rocks Road house has a Corian counter top, the new house has granite installed by the previous owner - we have no need or plan to remove the perfectly nice kitchen someone else installed a decade or so ago.
The new house has a recent asphalt roof, the 1901 house has its original slate roof, 119 years young......
The new house has a high efficency gas boiler and hot water heat, which I plan to improve with some zones.
The Rocks Road house has oil fired hot water, 5 zones, and our combined energy efforts there reduced energy use by 66% compared with the day we moved in.
Both houses have central A/C, the new house sytem is only a few years old.
It was an honor and privilege to be the steward of the Rocks Road house for 24 years, and we hope our efforts allow it be a pleasure for future generations.
About 50% of the hands on work at Rocks Road was done by myself personally, and I planned and supervised the project. It took about 3 years.
Sheldon
ATLANTIC CENTRAL So, first of all I made no reference to "religion", and surely no reference to a specific one. I made no indication as to my own beliefs, but simply posed a philosophical question in this debate. I can't say I disgree with any of the responses, except to say that I do believe in a force greater then myself, and that I don't have any desire to convert others to my specific views or beliefs.
So, first of all I made no reference to "religion", and surely no reference to a specific one. I made no indication as to my own beliefs, but simply posed a philosophical question in this debate.
I can't say I disgree with any of the responses, except to say that I do believe in a force greater then myself, and that I don't have any desire to convert others to my specific views or beliefs.
You did bring up God. That's kinda the same as a religious reference.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL That said, most economists and social scientists, past and present, seem to agree that a common core set of values tends to allow cultures to be much more successful. Adam Smith for one spend a good bit of time on the idea....... And I believe that a "widening" of the values in our culture today does go hand in hand with some of our troubles. Personally, I have no desire to go to the market every day and negotiate the price of a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk, as is customary in some of the cultures that are bring their beliefs here these days.........just to site one example.
That said, most economists and social scientists, past and present, seem to agree that a common core set of values tends to allow cultures to be much more successful.
Adam Smith for one spend a good bit of time on the idea.......
And I believe that a "widening" of the values in our culture today does go hand in hand with some of our troubles.
Personally, I have no desire to go to the market every day and negotiate the price of a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk, as is customary in some of the cultures that are bring their beliefs here these days.........just to site one example.
I don't know about the eastern U.S, but Edmonton has always had a signficant new immigrant population, and none of them have managed to impose their beliefs or dramatically change the culture out here. Well, except for the initial invasion of western Europeans in the late 1800s....
I think that new immigrants tend to invigorate the economy, some start new businesses that would not have existed otherwise. And many of them end up doing the menial jobs that us established North Americans don't really want, whether it is digging ditches, picking fruit, or serving coffee and donuts at Timmy's.
They certainly improve the local restaurant scene. And I have never had trouble finding stores with fixed prices.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL I have already talked about my ideas to help save the planet, but yet I got not one response about any of that?
I have already talked about my ideas to help save the planet, but yet I got not one response about any of that?
I for one very much like the idea of preserving and re-using older buildings and machines instead of throwing stuff away once it falls out of fashion, and I do appreciate and admire restoration work done by folks like you. We are running out of room in our landfills.
When I do eventually buy a house I plan to make it last. I never have liked asphalt shingle roofs or vinyl siding, they disintegrate in fires.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL What kind of cars do you all drive?
What kind of cars do you all drive?
A small SUV. I need the trailer-hauling and off-road capabilities but didn't want a terrible gas guzzler. It uses more than the car I had before, but that thing was pretty rusty and miled out.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Who cuts your lawn? How big is your house? Did you "just have to have" those granite counters? Maybe a lifetime roof would be a better investment? How do you heat it? Cool it?
Who cuts your lawn?
How big is your house? Did you "just have to have" those granite counters?
Maybe a lifetime roof would be a better investment?
How do you heat it? Cool it?
I currently live in a 1970s-vintage low-rise apartment building, with boiler heat (natural gas fired). About 1/3 of the units are empty right now, but the boiler still runs and the groundskeeping and snow removal workers (a big deal in Alberta) still have the same work. The building does not have A/C, but I find that leaving the windows open has enough of a cooling effect even during the hottest summer days.
My unit still has what appear to be the original dishwasher and stove (electric), both of which work fine, though they are probably not very efficient by modern standards. I don't run the dishwasher until it is full.
I too replaced all the lightbulbs with LEDs.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Well, for me, believe in God, or in some supreme being, is not really the same as conformance to an established religious doctrine........
Lithonia Operator ATLANTIC CENTRAL I have worked hard in my lifetime for what I have, and they will have to take it by force to tell me to live in a smaller house, drive a slower, smaller car, be colder, or be hotter, etc, etc. And trust me, when they come for me I will be ready to shoot back. Do you basically just live your life angry? Is that you default mode?
ATLANTIC CENTRAL I have worked hard in my lifetime for what I have, and they will have to take it by force to tell me to live in a smaller house, drive a slower, smaller car, be colder, or be hotter, etc, etc. And trust me, when they come for me I will be ready to shoot back.
I have worked hard in my lifetime for what I have, and they will have to take it by force to tell me to live in a smaller house, drive a slower, smaller car, be colder, or be hotter, etc, etc. And trust me, when they come for me I will be ready to shoot back.
Do you basically just live your life angry? Is that you default mode?
Sheldon sounds like a bitter, angry guy who resents the apparent development of his children in which their world views and values differ from his. So he looks for scapegoats to blame, such as their "socialist" teachers.
charlie hebdo Lithonia Operator ATLANTIC CENTRAL I have worked hard in my lifetime for what I have, and they will have to take it by force to tell me to live in a smaller house, drive a slower, smaller car, be colder, or be hotter, etc, etc. And trust me, when they come for me I will be ready to shoot back. Do you basically just live your life angry? Is that you default mode? Sheldon sounds like a bitter, angry guy who resents the apparent development of his children in which their world views and values differ from his. So he looks for scapegoats to blame, such as their "socialist" teachers.
You don't know anything about me or my children, who turned out just fine in spite of the socialist re-education camps. But then again I had no desire for them to be just like me. I am very proud of all of them, the bank executive, the EMT, the painter/construction professional, the social worker, the entertainer and the one who left us too soon.
I'm rather the optimist actually, who does not think the sky is falling, and who is rather sure the world will muddle thru like it always has.
But I do have strong opinions, and it is fun when I have time present some of them a bit forcefully to those who disagree.
And yet again you just resort to personal attacks rather than defending your position, or answering my questions.
I've worked really hard in my lifetime to be a good citizen and good steward of the blessings I have been given. And I make no apologies for what I have, or what I believe.
I have found in life that self confidence bothers some people.......
But don't worry, I will back to work in a day or two and return you to your regularly scheduled conversations.
It might help if you actually read more carefully, as I never suggested anything about how your children turned out. I only know what you stated, which is to blame schools for why their views differ from yours. Your anger and resentment were expressed in several posts. That is not a personal attack, just an obvious iinference from what you stated here: "when they come for me I will be ready to shoot back".
Have a great rest of your life.
Sheldon, you have a beautiful home, a rewarding career, and apparently great "kids." (I am very sorry for the loss of your one child.) You have much to be proud of, I'm sure. Congratulations for achieving the things that are possible in this great country.
But dude, we have here merely a thread about how railroads are allies of Big Coal, something that should not surprise anyone not living under a rock.
This has prompted you to attack the education system as "socialist." You have promoted beating people up, as opposed to walking away from a fight. You have conjured up images of suicide if those nasty liberals force you to live in a world you don't like. You have promised us that you will be shooting with a firearm at anyone who comes to take your stuff.
Then you tell us all about your stuff.
I have news for you. A lot of us have worked hard. A lot of us have nice things. Most of us have accomplished things we are proud of.
I am a lifelong liberal. Most of my friends are liberals. I read and watch liberal media. I pay close attention to politics and current events. And I can assure you: "they" are not coming for your guns, your truck, your house, your religion, or your model railroad.
Do you know how much time I spend worrying about right-wingers coming to take my stuff? Zero.
Relax. Have a drink, if you are so inclined. Don't stereotype people. (I am a strong believer in man-made climate change, but I recently dumped my Prius for a sweet new upscale V-6 sedan; I am not doctrinaire; I enjoy my life also.)
You can call your style "self-confidence." And maybe you have plenty of it. But it comes across as anger, fear, and insecurity.
No one is asking for you to apologize for your lifestyle. Show me where someone did.
I am a pretty confident guy myself. I don't spend a lot of time thinking about who all might want to victimize me.
I hope you can find peace in the new year.
Lithonia Operator Sheldon, you have a beautiful home, a rewarding career, and apparently great "kids." (I am very sorry for the loss of your one child.) You have much to be proud of, I'm sure. Congratulations for achieving the things that are possible in this great country. But dude, we have here merely a thread about how railroads are allies of Big Coal, something that should not surprise anyone not living under a rock. This has prompted you to attack the education system as "socialist." You have promoted beating people up, as opposed to walking away from a fight. You have conjured up images of suicide if those nasty liberals force you to live in a world you don't like. You have promised us that you will be shooting with a firearm at anyone who comes to take your stuff. Then you tell us all about your stuff. I have news for you. A lot of us have worked hard. A lot of us have nice things. Most of us have accomplished things we are proud of. I am a lifelong liberal. Most of my friends are liberals. I read and watch liberal media. I pay close attention to politics and current events. And I can assure you: "they" are not coming for your guns, your truck, your house, your religion, or your model railroad. Do you know how much time I spend worrying about right-wingers coming to take my stuff? Zero. Relax. Have a drink, if you are so inclined. Don't stereotype people. (I am a strong believer in man-made climate change, but I recently dumped my Prius for a sweet new upscale V-6 sedan; I am not doctrinaire; I enjoy my life also.) You can call your style "self-confidence." And maybe you have plenty of it. But it comes across as anger, fear, and insecurity. No one is asking for you to apologize for your lifestyle. Show me where someone did. I am a pretty confident guy myself. I don't spend a lot of time thinking about who all might want to victimize me. I hope you can find peace in the new year.
Thank you for the kind words.
I purposely expressed some of those views in their hardest terms.
Maybe the railroads are allies of the coal industry, I really had no direct comments on that, other than "who cares?". But the converasation quickly moved to the climate change debate in general........
But put more moderately, I do have concerns about what is taught in the schools these days.
I do think policies that "criminalize" self defense, be it in a school hall, on my own property, on in the public square, simply embolden those who would do harm to others.
I'm a once moderate turned more and more conservative, but still actually pretty socially liberal. I think people should be free to live as they please, but don't expect me to endorce all their choices. I don't expect others to endorce all mine.
But I would never do things "against" beliefs or lifestyles I disagree with, and likewise I am not going to allow my right to live by my beliefs to be limited.
My beliefs don't include making others think like me.........
Guns, I have a few, and my range instructor says I'm a good shot. I also hope I never have to use mine to defend myself or my family - but I would.
I don't drink. I grew up in a family of drinkers who ran a bar and restaurant, I was allowed to drink at an early age. Lucky for me I don't have the additive gene.
I've watched drugs and alcohol distroy a lot of lives, so about 30 years ago I decided to set a specifc example. Never really cared one way or another about drinking myself, can't miss something you are indifferent to.
I drive the cars I drive for two reasons, practical needs and safety. Big, heavy "gas guzzling" cars have saved my life, and my families lives several times, generally from other peoples poor driving skills.
I learned to drive on a Checker Marathon, practical is in my breading and my up bringing. I know a lot about cars, restored and hot rodded my share when I was younger, I like my sporty driving, conservative looking, very safe FORD FLEX. It suits all my needs and wants. Cars could be a hobby again, but I'm busy with other stuff.
As I responed to Charlie above, I'm actually pretty optimistic about people and the future.
But someone does need to "guard the guards". I do think high taxes and government intrusion in our lives has caused more problems than it has fixed.
And I likely define my obligations to my fellow man somewhat differently than you.
My first obligation is to take care of myself and my family so that others do not have to.
My second obligation is to help those I can, where I feel I can make a difference, and where it is necessary and deserved.
The climate is changing, and I will agree we are not helping, after that I have a lot of doubts.
But I also feel this culture has thrown the baby out with the bath water on a lot of issues in the last 50 years - so I am cautious.
Thank you for your thoughtful and civil comments.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Lithonia Operator Sheldon, you have a beautiful home, a rewarding career, and apparently great "kids." (I am very sorry for the loss of your one child.) You have much to be proud of, I'm sure. Congratulations for achieving the things that are possible in this great country. But dude, we have here merely a thread about how railroads are allies of Big Coal, something that should not surprise anyone not living under a rock. This has prompted you to attack the education system as "socialist." You have promoted beating people up, as opposed to walking away from a fight. You have conjured up images of suicide if those nasty liberals force you to live in a world you don't like. You have promised us that you will be shooting with a firearm at anyone who comes to take your stuff. Then you tell us all about your stuff. I have news for you. A lot of us have worked hard. A lot of us have nice things. Most of us have accomplished things we are proud of. I am a lifelong liberal. Most of my friends are liberals. I read and watch liberal media. I pay close attention to politics and current events. And I can assure you: "they" are not coming for your guns, your truck, your house, your religion, or your model railroad. Do you know how much time I spend worrying about right-wingers coming to take my stuff? Zero. Relax. Have a drink, if you are so inclined. Don't stereotype people. (I am a strong believer in man-made climate change, but I recently dumped my Prius for a sweet new upscale V-6 sedan; I am not doctrinaire; I enjoy my life also.) You can call your style "self-confidence." And maybe you have plenty of it. But it comes across as anger, fear, and insecurity. No one is asking for you to apologize for your lifestyle. Show me where someone did. I am a pretty confident guy myself. I don't spend a lot of time thinking about who all might want to victimize me. I hope you can find peace in the new year. Thank you for the kind words. I purposely expressed some of those views in their hardest terms. Maybe the railroads are allies of the coal industry, I really had no direct comments on that, other than "who cares?". But the converasation quickly moved to the climate change debate in general........ But put more moderately, I do have concerns about what is taught in the schools these days. I do think policies that "criminalize" self defense, be it in a school hall, on my own property, on in the public square, simply embolden those who would do harm to others. I'm a once moderate turned more and more conservative, but still actually pretty socially liberal. I think people should be free to live as they please, but don't expect me to endorce all their choices. I don't expect others to endorce all mine. But I would never do things "against" beliefs or lifestyles I disagree with, and likewise I am not going to allow my right to live by my beliefs to be limited. My beliefs don't include making others think like me......... Guns, I have a few, and my range instructor says I'm a good shot. I also hope I never have to use mine to defend myself or my family - but I would. I don't drink. I grew up in a family of drinkers who ran a bar and restaurant, I was allowed to drink at an early age. Lucky for me I don't have the additive gene. I've watched drugs and alcohol distroy a lot of lives, so about 30 years ago I decided to set a specifc example. Never really cared one way or another about drinking myself, can't miss something you are indifferent to. I drive the cars I drive for two reasons, practical needs and safety. Big, heavy "gas guzzling" cars have saved my life, and my families lives several times, generally from other peoples poor driving skills. I learned to drive on a Checker Marathon, practical is in my breading and my up bringing. I know a lot about cars, restored and hot rodded my share when I was younger, I like my sporty driving, conservative looking, very safe FORD FLEX. It suits all my needs and wants. Cars could be a hobby again, but I'm busy with other stuff. As I responed to Charlie above, I'm actually pretty optimistic about people and the future. But someone does need to "guard the guards". I do think high taxes and government intrusion in our lives has caused more problems than it has fixed. And I likely define my obligations to my fellow man somewhat differently than you. My first obligation is to take care of myself and my family so that others do not have to. My second obligation is to help those I can, where I feel I can make a difference, and where it is necessary and deserved. The climate is changing, and I will agree we are not helping, after that I have a lot of doubts. But I also feel this culture has thrown the baby out with the bath water on a lot of issues in the last 50 years - so I am cautious. Thank you for your thoughtful and civil comments. Sheldon
Lithonia OperatorBut dude, we have here merely a thread about how railroads are allies of Big Coal, something that should not surprise anyone not living under a rock.
Do you think that "the railroads" would be voluntarily investing in tier-3 and tier-4 compliance, if not required to do so?
Convicted One Lithonia Operator But dude, we have here merely a thread about how railroads are allies of Big Coal, something that should not surprise anyone not living under a rock. Do you think that "the railroads" would be voluntarily investing in tier-3 and tier-4 compliance, if not required to do so?
Lithonia Operator But dude, we have here merely a thread about how railroads are allies of Big Coal, something that should not surprise anyone not living under a rock.
The railroads actually got some benefit from the emissions regulations up to and including Tier 3: Lower fuel consumption.
The Tier 4 units use more fuel than Tier 3 units. And are less reliable.
SD70DudeThe Tier 4 units use more fuel than Tier 3 units. And are less reliable.
One gets the impression that some would like the exhaust to be cleaner than the intake air...
tree68 SD70Dude The Tier 4 units use more fuel than Tier 3 units. And are less reliable. One gets the impression that some would like the exhaust to be cleaner than the intake air...
SD70Dude The Tier 4 units use more fuel than Tier 3 units. And are less reliable.
Don't worry, they still stink like diesel exhaust, but not anywhere near as bad as a Cowl Dash-8. Unlike the truck diesels that use DEF, I can't quite place their smell but it is definately not regular diesel exhaust.
Every now and then I hear rumours of a upcoming EPA Tier 5. If that does happen the railroads will be forced to finally accept the use of DEF.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Well, for me, believe in God, or in some supreme being, is not really the same as conformance to an established religious doctrine........ Sheldon
I'll agree with you there.
I don't really object to the notion of a deity, but I am baffled by one that takes attendance.
I'll agree with most of what the two of you have said, and I'll also take this opportunity to say that I don't believe insults are necessary in this kind of conversation. We can debate and disagree without being disagreeable.
But I'll also say that referring to public schools as "liberal re-education camps" makes one come across as a far-right hardline conservative.
A wide variety of people distrust or disagree with some facets of the school system. My own parents, who both graduated from university (U of A, go Golden Bears, go Pandas!) and are dedicated Liberal/NDP voters went to bat against the school system multiple times for me and my siblings. The public school system is an assembly line, and if a student does not conform to its exact requirements they can easily be chewed up and tossed to the side. The quality of the morals being taught was not a issue in our cases.
I don't ever recall being told not to stand up to bullies, instead, we were taught from a very early age to do exactly that.
I don't drink or use drugs either, but I do not judge those who do, as long as they stay safe and practice moderation. I have found myself to have an addictive and obsessive personality (currently focused on trains), which does not go well with alcohol etc.
I am a gun owner myself, and find the current Canadian regulations to be quite reasonable. We'll see what happens with the upcoming changes, personally I think the Federal government is going to go a bit too far, but that's just me. But I would never say I am worried about Justin Trudeau's minions showing up at the door to take my guns, and no matter what happens in that regard I will be able to continue to live my life comfortably.
In Canada it is illegal to use guns or other deadly force to defend one's property. Legally, such force can only be used if there is a iminent threat to one's life. Guns must also be kept locked away, with few exceptions. A Canadian citizen also has to pass a background check and take a firearms safety course before getting a gun license. Handguns can only be fired at gun ranges, or on one's private property if it is large enough. The general effect is that we do not have anywhere near the level of gun-related crime or accidental shootings found in the U.S.
Property crime and petty thefts have become a real problem in rural western Canada, along with frustration that the RCMP are not doing enough about it. There have been several controversial cases where a landowner has wielded or used a firearm against the thieves, and ended up in court as a result. Personally, I don't think that allowing the use of guns to defend personal property is the answer. We would do better by increasing police patrols and increasing funding to fight the root causes of this type of crime, like addiction.
I would never dare to call myself a mechanic or tradesman, but I do enjoy working on things with my own hands. I learned to drive in a large 2WD pickup (a terrible choice of vehicle for the Canadian winter), and really enjoy working on and learning about cars, locomotives (steam and diesel) and every piece of heavy equipment in between.
Many people forget that having a driver's license is a privilege, not a right. One of my favourite TV series is "Canada's Worst Driver".
I support the construction of the Trans-Mountain pipeline expansion (Edmonton to Vancouver, BC), which is a hot-button political issue in Canada right now, because I believe that as long as the world continues to consume large amounts of oil it should come from a ethical source. Yes, Alberta's oilsands are harder to work and more carbon-intensive than Saudi Arabia's massive fields, but we have good labour standards and treat women as actual people. And we don't slice up journalists we don't like.
I also recognize that the fossil fuel industry around the world is going to have to decline dramatically if we want to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions enough to have an effect on global warming. And that decline may well happen sooner rather than later, depending on what happens with electric cars and the costs of wind turbines, solar panels, and the various forms of energy storage.
I am quite proud of being self-sufficient, being able to provide for myself and my own, and being able to devote a significant amount of my time to volunteering. I think that all of us, including the various levels of government, need to learn to live within our means, and we are failing terribly at that right now (the U.S. National Debt is an especially bad example).
Having said that, I have yet to vote for a Conservative party, because I see them (and your Republicans) as being just as bad or worse for racking up debt as the Liberals, NDP and Democrats. And I do not believe cutting social programs is the way to get ourselves out of the current situation.
If only our leaders could discuss these topics the same way we are doing here.
Happy New Year.
I just read this entire post, I don't feel smarter, I'll try again later when I'm drunk.
I'll spend the rest of the afternoon counting how many times the cows fart. Maybe Beano is the solution to the end of civilization?
SD70Dude I'll agree with most of what the two of you have said, and I'll also take this opportunity to say that I don't believe insults are necessary in this kind of conversation. We can debate and disagree without being disagreeable. But I'll also say that referring to public schools as "liberal re-education camps" makes one come across as a far-right hardline conservative. A wide variety of people distrust or disagree with some facets of the school system. My own parents, who both graduated from university (U of A, go Golden Bears, go Pandas!) and are dedicated Liberal/NDP voters went to bat against the school system multiple times for me and my siblings. The public school system is an assembly line, and if a student does not conform to its exact requirements they can easily be chewed up and tossed to the side. The quality of the morals being taught was not a issue in our cases. I don't ever recall being told not to stand up to bullies, instead, we were taught from a very early age to do exactly that. I don't drink or use drugs either, but I do not judge those who do, as long as they stay safe and practice moderation. I have found myself to have an addictive and obsessive personality (currently focused on trains), which does not go well with alcohol etc. I am a gun owner myself, and find the current Canadian regulations to be quite reasonable. We'll see what happens with the upcoming changes, personally I think the Federal government is going to go a bit too far, but that's just me. But I would never say I am worried about Justin Trudeau's minions showing up at the door to take my guns, and no matter what happens in that regard I will be able to continue to live my life comfortably. In Canada it is illegal to use guns or other deadly force to defend one's property. Legally, such force can only be used if there is a iminent threat to one's life. Guns must also be kept locked away, with few exceptions. A Canadian citizen also has to pass a background check and take a firearms safety course before getting a gun license. Handguns can only be fired at gun ranges, or on one's private property if it is large enough. The general effect is that we do not have anywhere near the level of gun-related crime or accidental shootings found in the U.S. Property crime and petty thefts have become a real problem in rural western Canada, along with frustration that the RCMP are not doing enough about it. There have been several controversial cases where a landowner has wielded or used a firearm against the thieves, and ended up in court as a result. Personally, I don't think that allowing the use of guns to defend personal property is the answer. We would do better by increasing police patrols and increasing funding to fight the root causes of this type of crime, like addiction. I would never dare to call myself a mechanic or tradesman, but I do enjoy working on things with my own hands. I learned to drive in a large 2WD pickup (a terrible choice of vehicle for the Canadian winter), and really enjoy working on and learning about cars, locomotives (steam and diesel) and every piece of heavy equipment in between. Many people forget that having a driver's license is a privilege, not a right. One of my favourite TV series is "Canada's Worst Driver". I support the construction of the Trans-Mountain pipeline expansion (Edmonton to Vancouver, BC), which is a hot-button political issue in Canada right now, because I believe that as long as the world continues to consume large amounts of oil it should come from a ethical source. Yes, Alberta's oilsands are harder to work and more carbon-intensive than Saudi Arabia's massive fields, but we have good labour standards and treat women as actual people. And we don't slice up journalists we don't like. I also recognize that the fossil fuel industry around the world is going to have to decline dramatically if we want to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions enough to have an effect on global warming. And that decline may well happen sooner rather than later, depending on what happens with electric cars and the costs of wind turbines, solar panels, and the various forms of energy storage. I am quite proud of being self-sufficient, being able to provide for myself and my own, and being able to devote a significant amount of my time to volunteering. I think that all of us, including the various levels of government, need to learn to live within our means, and we are failing terribly at that right now (the U.S. National Debt is an especially bad example). Having said that, I have yet to vote for a Conservative party, because I see them (and your Republicans) as being just as bad or worse for racking up debt as the Liberals, NDP and Democrats. And I do not believe cutting social programs is the way to get ourselves out of the current situation. If only our leaders could discuss these topics the same way we are doing here. Happy New Year.
And thank you for your thoughtful reply.
OK a few more thoughts,
Just like some of my replies seemed extreem to you and others, some of the strong reactions to the original topic seem extreem to me. Now we have come around to a more reasoned conversation.
If I were to go into great detail about my views on:
Big Business
Taxes
Social Service Programs
Guns, self defense, crime
Public schools
Drugs/alcohol/addition/smoking
Personal freedom/lifestyle/sexual identity/abortion
Energy/environment/climate
Transportation
Construction/preservation
Health care
You would possible be very suprised at how liberal/progressive some of my views are, and you might be shocked (or not) at how conservative some of my views are.
I am by no means a "party line" believer for any group.
I like your thoughts about fossil fuel use, and I think just like coal replaced wood, and oil replaced coal, the economy and common sense will decrease oil consumption.
Big business and big government are a big part of the problem in a lot of these issues. I will save my rather complex thoughts on that topic. Let's just say I don't trust big business any more than I trust big government, and I have a few ideas for improvement.
Guns, crime, self defense, just a few thoughts. Guns don't kill people any more than SUV's or kitchen knives, people kill people.
Here is a conservative view - a society MUST value the good people more than the bad people, or it is doomed. Who are the bad people? They define themselves with their behavior.
So in that moment that someone breaks into my home, to steal, rape, kill or otherwise harm the lives of others, they forfit their rights. And if my defense response is "disporportional", too bad. I, who did not violate someone else, should not have to bear some complex burden of judging in a split second the nature of their behavior as to provide the minimum response necessary.
Self defense is a sovereign human right. In the US the laws and prosecutors in each local jurisdiction are the last word on what you can and can't do. But generally, if they are inside your home, you can assume they mean you harm.
Taxes - we are taxing the wrong things in the wrong ways - look up a "progressive" economist from the late 19th century named Henry George, his views, and the views of Adam Smith and a few others, would blend to make a fair tax system that works, that ends urban decay, and treats all economic classes fairly.
Health care - does it really cost what the hospitals say? Go back to my comments on big business.
Transportation - regulation ruined transportation, and did not get out of the way soon enough. Just one example - Intermodal (piggyback back in the day) - while some truckers resisted it, many were all in had the government gotten out of the way of both industries in 1950 rather than 1980 - now we have a mess. And too many, too big, too heavy trucks on the highway.
And this comes from the son/grandson of a trucking industry family.
Personal freedoms - sleep with whoever you want, get an abortion, marry or don't, go to whatever church or not, just don't rub it in my face and demand my approval. The "don't demand my approval" part applies to both sides of any of those choices..........
These comments just scratch the surface........
Take care,
Frankly, I wish we could just avoid political, social, religious, etc. topics, period.
Here, verbatim, is an excerpt from the rules of this forum:
- No political discussions or signature messages. We know, railroads are sometimes affected by politics. However, we’ve found that political discussions almost always turn into arguments. We have a common thread of being interested in railroads. Don’t let that common bond be destroyed by political differences.- No inherently divisive discussions or signature messages. Hot-button topics like guns, abortion, religion, immigration, and crime aren't welcome, for the same reasons as political discussions and signatures. We all have our own views, and this isn’t the place to share them. Remember, this is a railroading forum.
However, if people insist on breaking the rules, I reserve the right to speak up when I feel that progressive positions are being mischaracterized; or simply that gratuitous cheap shots against liberals are being made, which happens here almost daily.
Usually I just don't take the bait. But I wish people would just play by the rules. Use your bait for fishing. Let's talk trains.
Lithonia Operator Frankly, I wish we could just avoid political, social, religious, etc. topics, period. Here, verbatim, is an excerpt from the rules of this forum: - No political discussions or signature messages. We know, railroads are sometimes affected by politics. However, we’ve found that political discussions almost always turn into arguments. We have a common thread of being interested in railroads. Don’t let that common bond be destroyed by political differences.- No inherently divisive discussions or signature messages. Hot-button topics like guns, abortion, religion, immigration, and crime aren't welcome, for the same reasons as political discussions and signatures. We all have our own views, and this isn’t the place to share them. Remember, this is a railroading forum. However, if people insist on breaking the rules, I reserve the right to speak up when I feel that progressive positions are being mischaracterized; or simply that gratuitous cheap shots against liberals are being made, which happens here almost daily. Usually I just don't take the bait. But I wish people would just play by the rules. Use your bait for fishing. Let's talk trains.
I would agree, and on the Model Railroader side this would not have lasted 10 minutes - the original post would not have lasted 10 minutes, based on its content and title, train related or not.
But things seem rather different over here.........
SD70DudeEvery now and then I hear rumours of a upcoming EPA Tier 5. If that does happen the railroads will be forced to finally accept the use of DEF.
Tier 4 final was supposed to compel the use of DEF; it was a fundamental assumption in the government's discussion of the legislation, and inherent in the setting of the NOx standard just outside what EMD could practically achieve without SCR over the full required cycle. I doubt that the next cycle will leave this 'implicit' and instead require it implicitly.
Which, as I have repeatedly argued, is far from a bad thing for diesel locomotives. Once a correct SCR system is provided, there is no longer any purpose for EGR and all its pointless effects on engine performance or design, and much less point in a DPF (if indeed there was ever any real point in one; virtually all the legitimate health consequences from diesel exhaust are in the nanoparticulates, which no current DPF technology even begins to address, but the excess fuel consumption is almost all related to moronic regeneration of soot in the traps).
With SCR, sized correctly and titrating its DEF to knock down NOx as formed, it becomes possible to increase compression ratio and lean out injection to where combustion temperature is as high as possible, with no concern for conversion either of atmospheric nitrogen or any organics remaining in the fuel. This also mitigates residual hydrocarbon emissions (in part because a strict reducing atmosphere involved with the recirculated gas impairing compression ignition is no longer required) and ensures greater oxidization of CO to CO2.
Since you can almost be assured that mandatory unfunded implementation of SCR on locomotives will result in 'fuel surcharge' actions offsetting the marginal cost of the DEF, I don't see any particular downside (other than higher net cost to shippers, etc.) from actually developing effective commodity SCR and installing it (at least where clearances permit). I have to admit that I don't see much political likelihood of any Federal agency mandating SCR without either subsidizing it (unlikely) or requiring that its full cost be borne by railroads without fair right of recovery.
Interesting possibilities come into play for companies specializing in 'hot-rodding' existing prime movers once SCR is in process of being made mandatory...
Wasn't there at one time a wave of interest among the railroads in rebuilding tier 3 compliant power as an avoidance strategy to dodge buying new tier 4 compliant locomotives? I'm not 100% "up" on that, but seem to vaguely remember mention of something along those lines in Trains magazine.
Convicted OneWasn't there at one time a wave of interest among the railroads in rebuilding tier 3 compliant power as an avoidance strategy to dodge buying new tier 4 compliant locomotives?
There most certainly was, and to an extent there still is. I believe NS is still interested in acquiring SD9043MACs as they become available rather than buy expensive new locomotives with, as noted, higher specific fuel consumption (due in part to the need for regeneration, and in part to lower peak combustion temperature) and lower reliability.
Another discussion, somewhat related to this, is the ongoing refusal of the government to permit conversion of lower-'tier' prime movers to a higher level (but not all the way to tier 4 final or higher) to reduce overall pollution from a fleet cost-effectively, as a 'credit' against having to buy mandatory tier-4-final-capable locomotives where they need or want new ones. (And, might I add, reducing absolute carbon emissions into the bargain...) I confess I haven't checked this since the end of the Obama administrations but haven't seen anything overt coming out of Trump's EPA to consider this anew, let alone fast-track it as a pollution-saving priority...
Lithonia OperatorUsually I just don't take the bait. But I wish people would just play by the rules
It's a shame that constructive ambiguity is so far over the heads of some. A lot of these little fur-fights could be avoided.
Overmod SD70Dude Every now and then I hear rumours of a upcoming EPA Tier 5. If that does happen the railroads will be forced to finally accept the use of DEF. Tier 4 final was supposed to compel the use of DEF; it was a fundamental assumption in the government's discussion of the legislation, and inherent in the setting of the NOx standard just outside what EMD could practically achieve without SCR over the full required cycle. I doubt that the next cycle will leave this 'implicit' and instead require it implicitly. Which, as I have repeatedly argued, is far from a bad thing for diesel locomotives. Once a correct SCR system is provided, there is no longer any purpose for EGR and all its pointless effects on engine performance or design, and much less point in a DPF (if indeed there was ever any real point in one; virtually all the legitimate health consequences from diesel exhaust are in the nanoparticulates, which no current DPF technology even begins to address, but the excess fuel consumption is almost all related to moronic regeneration of soot in the traps). With SCR, sized correctly and titrating its DEF to knock down NOx as formed, it becomes possible to increase compression ratio and lean out injection to where combustion temperature is as high as possible, with no concern for conversion either of atmospheric nitrogen or any organics remaining in the fuel. This also mitigates residual hydrocarbon emissions (in part because a strict reducing atmosphere involved with the recirculated gas impairing compression ignition is no longer required) and ensures greater oxidization of CO to CO2. Since you can almost be assured that mandatory unfunded implementation of SCR on locomotives will result in 'fuel surcharge' actions offsetting the marginal cost of the DEF, I don't see any particular downside (other than higher net cost to shippers, etc.) from actually developing effective commodity SCR and installing it (at least where clearances permit). I have to admit that I don't see much political likelihood of any Federal agency mandating SCR without either subsidizing it (unlikely) or requiring that its full cost be borne by railroads without fair right of recovery. Interesting possibilities come into play for companies specializing in 'hot-rodding' existing prime movers once SCR is in process of being made mandatory...
SD70Dude Every now and then I hear rumours of a upcoming EPA Tier 5. If that does happen the railroads will be forced to finally accept the use of DEF.
So I gather that the railroads are resisting the use of DEF because they want to avoid the cost of purchasing and handling the fluid? I guess they calculate that the inefficiencies of the current Tier 4 systems are not enough to justify using DEF systems?
PsychotSo I gather that the railroads are resisting the use of DEF because they want to avoid the cost of purchasing and handling the fluid?
The whole infrastructure associated with maintaining and dispensing proper DEF, ensuring it doesn't get pumped in as fuel by mistake, etc. has been a major factor both in terms of research (others here were involved firsthand and may have stories to tell) and lobbying. It's a much larger step (and unfunded mandate) than things like more effective visible-soot traps.
I guess they calculate that the inefficiencies of the current Tier 4 systems are not enough to justify using DEF systems?[/quote]
To an extent, I think what they calculate has been adding the cost of DEF on top of the other 'pollution reducing' technologies: DFP, EGR, very slow loading, much larger radiator capacity and split-cooling, etc. A major additional sticking point would come if the regulations required that failures in the DEF system automatically unload the engine, as they do for road vehicles. You can imagine the mayhem this would cause in an industry that at one point kept engines with three failed injectors in service (appropriately derated)and today runs very careful optimization software todetermine precision scheduled maintenance.
The thing here is that what I'm seeing the opportunity in is NOT what 'current Tier 4 final' systems do; in fact, takes away much of the state-of-the-art pollution abatement methods other than SCR/DEF. In a sense this treats DEF a bit like the Stanadyne fuel supplement for the 6.5TD (or Moroso octane booster in the early days of unleaded gasoline): a necessary additive to get best thermodynamic performance out of each gallon consumed. But you would not just 'add DEF' to a current engine 'nearly compliant' with Tier 4 final on its own (like the experiments with the 710 that stuck EMD behind the eight ball for what seemed years vs. GE).
It may be that the Government weenies who set and maintained the Tier 4 NOx standards to 'just out of EMD's reach' will also cause trouble about omitting 'current'pollution-control devices. What I'm hoping is that any prospective Tier 5 will only be concerned with stack emission levels, not the technologies involved in attaining them, and perhaps even provide some incentives to 'trade off' the higher cost of DEF against the savings in absolute emitted carbon per hp/hr made possible by better combustion and lack of DPF regeneration.
Overmod ....an industry that at one point kept engines with three failed injectors in service (appropriately derated) and today runs very careful optimization software to determine precision scheduled maintenance.
....an industry that at one point kept engines with three failed injectors in service (appropriately derated) and today runs very careful optimization software to determine precision scheduled maintenance.
They might run the software, but it seems they often don't listen to it. I would describe the current railroad attitude toward maintenance as "run to failure".
Sometimes they forget to check the oil, water, or even fuel levels before sending power out on a train.
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