When there are real stretches of Amtrak and commuter rail that need to be built and upgraded that serve real people that have jobs and family's to get too not just rich tourists with too much time on their handsd
This is a private operation and I don't believe that any state or Federal funding was involved.
ronrunnerthat serve real people that have jobs and family's to get too not just rich tourists with too much time on their handsd
I mean, we could say that about most Amtrak long distance routes, too.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
Hey! I've finally made it!
I vacationed in Colorado last year, and I'm now in the group of rich tourists with too much time on my hands!
The funding was done privately. The only tax money involved was a tax break given to the company by the city of Manitou Springs. This is not the government giving someone money -- it's the government not taking money away from someone.
York1 John
ronrunner rich tourists with too much time on their handsd
Hey man, the wife and I have been up the old cog railway three times! We had time on our hands but we sure as shht ain't rich, trust me!
Great ride, though! If you're ever in the area don't miss it!
ronrunnerWhen there are real stretches of Amtrak and commuter rail that need to be built and upgraded that serve real people that have jobs and family's to get too not just rich tourists with too much time on their handsd
If it was $1 Billion I would agree with you but $100 million for a Cog railway up a steep mountain grade for what? 11-15 miles or so? Thats going to pull in tens of millions a year from ancillary tourist trips to go ride it, rent cars, hotel stays, etc. Not to mention the property tax and wage tax revenue. You do know that businesses pay property taxes on more than land. Anything that is perceived to add value to the function of the business (that sits above or on the land) is considered property and is taxed, waiting benches, concession stands, parking lots, ROW, etc. etc. You know those old passenger depots the Class I's use as storage sheds...........they are taxed even though they are no longer used. That is why so many Railroads want to get rid of them or tear them down.
100 million is chump change these days. 100 million might run the Pentagon for about 15 minutes. I sure have no problem with a private company spending their own money that will be returned in many ways over the course of many years.
One thing I forgot to mention, the last time we were up there the Pikes Peak vistor center at the summit had fantastic doughnuts! I bought a dozen and they never made it back down the mountain!
Made the trip up even more worthwhile!
Flintlock76I bought a dozen and they never made it back down the mountain!
Oh, they made it down the mountain, just not in their original shape.
It was mostly Phil Anschutz's money, not the feds. If you want to talk wasting money, start looking at the transit amateurs at RTD in Denver. (or the black hole that is the California HSR project that wastes tons of transportation $$$ on local government social engineering instead of infrastructure)
Electroliner 1935 Flintlock76 I bought a dozen and they never made it back down the mountain! Oh, they made it down the mountain, just not in their original shape.
Flintlock76 I bought a dozen and they never made it back down the mountain!
Or in the original package!
I think it was Homer Simpson who said, "A flower may wow her, but give her doughnuts and she'll go nuts."
54light15I think it was Homer Simpson who said, "A flower may wow her, but give her doughnuts and she'll go nuts."
ronrunner When there are real stretches of Amtrak and commuter rail that need to be built and upgraded that serve real people that have jobs and family's to get too not just rich tourists with too much time on their handsd
NO TAX $$ INVOLVED IN THE CONSTRUCTION!!!
The $100 Million was entirely PRIVATE money, and totally rebuilt the track, purchased new trainsets & complete shop overhaul of some of the existing trainstes.
Planning to ride it in late October....
from the Far East of the Sunset Route
(In the shadow of the Huey P Long bridge)
Yeah if you're wanting to tackle waste in spending start by gutting the prevailing wage laws for government contracts. My house had a sewer system put in about a decade ago. It was paid for by the Obama era stimulus package. The contractor at first had very beaten up trucks across the board for him and his employees. After the Obama cash kicked in all his employees and him had brand new trucks to drive as the costs to us the people paying for it tripled over what it actually cost. He was able to bill since the federal government decided to fund it over 25 million on a contract he had agreed to for less than 8 million. That is true waste in spending. My hubby was on the township board at the time and cringed when he got paid.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.