fifedog wrote:88 - You make some very valid points, B. Alternate fuels should be developed for an economic and environmentally brighter future.But until then, we have all the resources within our shores: A vast oil field off the east coast ->DRILL IT! An abundant coal supply in Appalachia ->MINE IT! and BURN IT! Nuclear power -> TAP IT! A lack of new refineries ->BUILD IT!If we are consuming most of the world's energy, we should have to sow it ourselves. I'm willing. I like heat in the winter. I like AC in the summer. I like to drive everywhere.
88 - You make some very valid points, B. Alternate fuels should be developed for an economic and environmentally brighter future.
But until then, we have all the resources within our shores: A vast oil field off the east coast ->DRILL IT! An abundant coal supply in Appalachia ->MINE IT! and BURN IT! Nuclear power -> TAP IT! A lack of new refineries ->BUILD IT!
If we are consuming most of the world's energy, we should have to sow it ourselves. I'm willing. I like heat in the winter. I like AC in the summer. I like to drive everywhere.
ChiefEagles wrote:In Charlotte/Concord in hotel room. Visited store. All setup right. Bought more .22 and .17 ammo. All ammo on sale 10% off. Bought very high powered airrifle [.17]. Has scope too. Now shoot squirrels and etc in town and all you hear is a loud pooof. Got it with a discount too. Out for some dinner. Then popcorn [room has microwave and frig]. Brought groceries with me from Roseyville. Later
Careful with the squirrels Chief. I heard that they are high in cholesterol.
Regards,
John
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
I will agree that we need to move away from petroleum. Explore other options. Drill in ANWAR who the goes there anyway? The wild life florished when the Alaskan pipeline was built. We need more refineries. Drill off the coasts....the CHINESE ARE!!!!
We have MORE OIL RESERVED THE THE ARABS!!! WHATS WRONG WITH EVERYONE? There have been NO (ZIP<ZERO NADA) oil spills off off shore wells in decades....and if it happens, make severe penalites for such an action. It wasn't Exxon's fault they had a drunk ships captian, and they paid the price.
We listen to all these MORONS about global warming and oil is bad. Tax exempt the oil compainies? Sure, why not? Who do you think is PAYING the taxes? Sure ain't Exxon or Shell...WE ARE!!! The government gets it's blood money from the taxes WE pay on the cost of gas. GAS TAXES!!! Consumption tax, gas guzzler tax--- Priced a Viper or a Shelby? $2500-3500 addtional tax to the FEDS!
Just thnik about big oil, big this and that. We pay ALL the companies taxes because they pass it down to us.
OK I'm off the soap box now....
BTW...and Mel (RRCharlie, don't even SPEAK about this) I had a brain fart today and bought a Legacy system. And I only have 1 TMCC engine. Man, I'm Dumb...Hey Roger B, Make sure they get that thing to me in 1 piece!!! (anyone wanna Legacy???)
That's my token train post....
Later (please don't hate me......)Rich
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
anjdevil2 wrote: OK, don't get me started on "BIG oil" hybrids that will (never) save the planet and Global cooling warming. I blew past all of it. I'll start wars and revolutions, people will hate me....I'l be dis-owned and buy MTH......
OK, don't get me started on "BIG oil" hybrids that will (never) save the planet and Global cooling warming. I blew past all of it. I'll start wars and revolutions, people will hate me....I'l be dis-owned and buy MTH......
Would you feel the same way if you were a shareholder? I bet there are many of us that indirectly own "big oil" stocks either through our 401(k), pension plan, mutual fund or other investment vehicle. In that regard, I agree with Fifedog. Find the oil wherever you can, because a share of the profits come to me.
Like RRCharlie says its a bit nippy in these here parts. Now if it'll only SNOW!!!
OK boys, just padding my post count.
Also, should I get my papers in order? I am a bit further South than you-know-who <alas>!
Rich
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
lionroar88 wrote:John,Hi Again Brent,As for the size and weight of cars. The safety requirements don't add weight to a car. The materials and manufacturing processes that are available today have allowed for the overall weight of cars to drop.I partially agree with you here. But if you follow the gross vehicular weight history of almost any new model release or rerelease of an existing model, it climbs annually nearly every model year subsequent to the design release. Check out the dimensions and weight of the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord the past 10 years, two of America's top selling cars. They ain't smaller or lighter. I don't see the overall weight of cars dropping but in a best case scenario remaining the same.My take is that the added weight of additional standard options and improved safety (crumple/crush zones, front, rear, side, and top) has been partially mitigated but not eliminated by swapping out heavier materials with lighter ones, and through improvements in engineering and manufacturing.One of the reasons vehicles are getting bigger is because we, as a society, are getting bigger. I don't see the number of kids per household or the need to haul stuff dramatically increasing, do you? Agreed, many want room (size and the accompanying weight implication) to accomodate a desire for increased hauling capacity, mostly unused. I don't think the need for these larger vehicles isn't born out by sales. The desire is driving the sales.Until gas prices escalate. Then the sales of largest heaviest tank (now) and the whole purchased size scale slides toward smaller and lighter ones. We have short memories though and revert to our old "bigger is better tendencies".Horespower is just our desire for speed, and is necessary for larger vehicles.You are right. As for our desire for (unnecessary) speed and the impact on the weight of cars: generally, the American manufacturers took the weighty path, the philosophy that "There is no substitute for cubic inches" approach.Meanwhile, the Europeans, Japanese, Germans, and others were getting their horsepower, torque, and improved fuel efficiency from technology: multiple valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, 5-6-7-now8 speed automatic transmissions, turbos, superchargers, superior air intakes, alloy based engine blocks and intake manifolds, lower restriction exhausts, etc. American manufacturers trailed badly in virtually all of these areas. American manufacturers were still carburating when foreign manufacturers had moved on to fuel injection. I don't drive a compact, but I don't drive a Suburban either. I drive, what for me, is an economical vehicle that is fun to drive. Now as my family grows Susan and I will be purchasing an SUV, but that will not be an everyday vehicle either.Neither do we. And we want driving to be fun versus just getting from point A to point B. But we decided to hold off on a less efficiet SUV versus our car. It just didn't make sense to insure the dogs were comfortable for 2 hours two or three times a month. And the occasions for hauling big stuff isn't frequent enough either.BTW - Subsidising an industry doesn't have to mean monetarily, it can be just as effective through policy.Agreed.
Hi Again Brent,
As for the size and weight of cars. The safety requirements don't add weight to a car. The materials and manufacturing processes that are available today have allowed for the overall weight of cars to drop.
I partially agree with you here. But if you follow the gross vehicular weight history of almost any new model release or rerelease of an existing model, it climbs annually nearly every model year subsequent to the design release. Check out the dimensions and weight of the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord the past 10 years, two of America's top selling cars. They ain't smaller or lighter. I don't see the overall weight of cars dropping but in a best case scenario remaining the same.
My take is that the added weight of additional standard options and improved safety (crumple/crush zones, front, rear, side, and top) has been partially mitigated but not eliminated by swapping out heavier materials with lighter ones, and through improvements in engineering and manufacturing.
One of the reasons vehicles are getting bigger is because we, as a society, are getting bigger.
I don't see the number of kids per household or the need to haul stuff dramatically increasing, do you? Agreed, many want room (size and the accompanying weight implication) to accomodate a desire for increased hauling capacity, mostly unused. I don't think the need for these larger vehicles isn't born out by sales. The desire is driving the sales.
Until gas prices escalate. Then the sales of largest heaviest tank (now) and the whole purchased size scale slides toward smaller and lighter ones. We have short memories though and revert to our old "bigger is better tendencies".
Horespower is just our desire for speed, and is necessary for larger vehicles.
You are right. As for our desire for (unnecessary) speed and the impact on the weight of cars: generally, the American manufacturers took the weighty path, the philosophy that "There is no substitute for cubic inches" approach.
Meanwhile, the Europeans, Japanese, Germans, and others were getting their horsepower, torque, and improved fuel efficiency from technology: multiple valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, 5-6-7-now8 speed automatic transmissions, turbos, superchargers, superior air intakes, alloy based engine blocks and intake manifolds, lower restriction exhausts, etc. American manufacturers trailed badly in virtually all of these areas. American manufacturers were still carburating when foreign manufacturers had moved on to fuel injection.
I don't drive a compact, but I don't drive a Suburban either. I drive, what for me, is an economical vehicle that is fun to drive. Now as my family grows Susan and I will be purchasing an SUV, but that will not be an everyday vehicle either.
Neither do we. And we want driving to be fun versus just getting from point A to point B. But we decided to hold off on a less efficiet SUV versus our car. It just didn't make sense to insure the dogs were comfortable for 2 hours two or three times a month. And the occasions for hauling big stuff isn't frequent enough either.BTW - Subsidising an industry doesn't have to mean monetarily, it can be just as effective through policy.
Agreed.
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
33 in Sunny and "warm" Jacksonville, FL overnight. Up to 53 and with the wind it feels cold compared to the 70's and 80's we have had for the last few weeks. My LHS called. Said my Legacy Command set would be in tomorrow!!! Fianlly. Can't wait to get it up and running. Guess I better start reading the instruction manual. Or do I do that after everything goes up in smoke and a mushroom cloud?
Mel Hazen; Jax, FL
Mel Hazen; Jax, FL Ride Amtrak. It's the only way to fly!!!
lionroar88 wrote: One of the reasons the US prefers larger vehicles is due to the amount of truck traffic on the roads. When I lived in Germany and travelled the autobahns there was no where near the truck traffic there is on American highways. If we transported goods over long distances by rail, instead of via truck, there would be far less truck traffic on the highways. Then you rely more on local truck delivery than big-rig. Again, our problem here is organized labor. The trucking industry has a HUGE Unionized force and very strong lobbyist movement. Why do you think our trucks don't have hydraulic bumpers like they do in Europe? Also, big-rigs don't have the pollution standards here as there are elsewhere in the world. The trucking industry in this country does more damage to the highway system in one year than do all the cars in 10 years, yet it is the general populous that pays the majority of highway repair bills.Our transportation system is so screwed up it isn't even remotely comical at this point.
One of the reasons the US prefers larger vehicles is due to the amount of truck traffic on the roads. When I lived in Germany and travelled the autobahns there was no where near the truck traffic there is on American highways. If we transported goods over long distances by rail, instead of via truck, there would be far less truck traffic on the highways. Then you rely more on local truck delivery than big-rig. Again, our problem here is organized labor. The trucking industry has a HUGE Unionized force and very strong lobbyist movement. Why do you think our trucks don't have hydraulic bumpers like they do in Europe? Also, big-rigs don't have the pollution standards here as there are elsewhere in the world. The trucking industry in this country does more damage to the highway system in one year than do all the cars in 10 years, yet it is the general populous that pays the majority of highway repair bills.Our transportation system is so screwed up it isn't even remotely comical at this point.
One of the reason for heavier vehicles are the safety requirements of cars today versus 20 years ago. These systems add considerable weight which, in turn, reduces fuel economy.
Regarding movement of freight, the good news is that despite rails' inherent disadvantage (primarily being responsible for the cost and maintenance of the system), the industry has increased its market share of freight from an all time low of 37% in the early '80s to over 42% today. As train fans we should all be happy and hope that the trend continues.
lionroar88 wrote: If we had spent all the money we have spent subsidising the Oil industry for the last 30 years on solar cell research we would have solar cells the size of a half dollar that would provide enough power to run your car.
If we had spent all the money we have spent subsidising the Oil industry for the last 30 years on solar cell research we would have solar cells the size of a half dollar that would provide enough power to run your car.
Hello Brent:
How have we subsidized the oil industry? Now that oil is at $100.00/barrel, there is no shortage of capital going into alternative energy generation. Despite many issues we have in the U.S. we are still blessed with the brightest, most ambitious and driven minds in the world. As long as the free market remains, Americans will not have to worry about energy, alternative forms will be created.
lionroar88 wrote: Jack, Chuck, Sir James, et al...If we were to produce higher efficient solar cells we wouldn't need batteries in cars. My Dad and I have talked about this for years. If we had spent all the money we have spent subsidising the Oil industry for the last 30 years on solar cell research we would have solar cells the size of a half dollar that would provide enough power to run your car.Bingo. I used to buy a backup battery for my cell phone because I kept running out of juice. Now I often forget to turn it off at night and have no backup, don't need one. How did that happen?One of the reasons the US prefers larger vehicles is due to the amount of truck traffic on the roads. When I lived in Germany and travelled the autobahns there was no where near the truck traffic there is on American highways. If we transported goods over long distances by rail, instead of via truck, there would be far less truck traffic on the highways. Then you rely more on local truck delivery than big-rig. Again, our problem here is organized labor. The trucking industry has a HUGE Unionized force and very strong lobbyist movement. Why do you think our trucks don't have hydraulic bumpers like they do in Europe? Also, big-rigs don't have the pollution standards here as there are elsewhere in the world. The trucking industry in this country does more damage to the highway system in one year than do all the cars in 10 years, yet it is the general populous that pays the majority of highway repair bills.I just got a call from the Meadowlands......Jimmy Hoffa disagrees with you.That's why I personally prefer and drive a heavier vehicle despite the reduced mileage, to even out the safety odds, or as my Dad used to say, "Let the other guy bounce." To support your point, diesel is at about $3.80 per gallon here, and now there is a dearth of rail freight networks to take advantage of the emerging advantage long haul rail cost efficiency provides. Airlines in Europe are considering seriously slashing European service because the consumer there has a very cost effective alternative for the distances travelled, bus and rail, and a lot of it. Non commuter auto driving distances are not that great. Public ground transportation is superior to ours, with very few exceptions.Trucks do more than their share contributing to infrastructure deterioration, agreed. But we in MA. have a simple solution. Increase the gas tax, and jack the tolls (it's a "fee", not a a tax) on roads and bridges whose initial bond issues to fund construction were paid off decades ago. Today I can drive Boston to NYC door to door in about the same time (4.5 hours, 240 miles, $35 in fuel one way) flying would take because of the decline of on-time service, increased security (delays), rising airline overbooking (get to the airport early), slower baggage check-in and retrieval (airline headcount reductions), and the time it takes to get a car rental.....traffic notwithstanding. Our transportation system is so screwed up it isn't even remotely comical at this point.What transportation system? But what do we know?BTW, please approve more federal tax dollars to help pay off our "Big Dig" whose initial cost estimate of $3 Billion wound up costing $15 Billion, and counting. Pretty nice, though, we put that unsightly above ground highway underground. And the tunnels are leaking water profusely. Not to mention the ceiling malfunction that flattened a woman like a pancake.
Jack, Chuck, Sir James, et al...If we were to produce higher efficient solar cells we wouldn't need batteries in cars. My Dad and I have talked about this for years. If we had spent all the money we have spent subsidising the Oil industry for the last 30 years on solar cell research we would have solar cells the size of a half dollar that would provide enough power to run your car.
Bingo. I used to buy a backup battery for my cell phone because I kept running out of juice. Now I often forget to turn it off at night and have no backup, don't need one. How did that happen?
One of the reasons the US prefers larger vehicles is due to the amount of truck traffic on the roads. When I lived in Germany and travelled the autobahns there was no where near the truck traffic there is on American highways. If we transported goods over long distances by rail, instead of via truck, there would be far less truck traffic on the highways. Then you rely more on local truck delivery than big-rig. Again, our problem here is organized labor. The trucking industry has a HUGE Unionized force and very strong lobbyist movement. Why do you think our trucks don't have hydraulic bumpers like they do in Europe? Also, big-rigs don't have the pollution standards here as there are elsewhere in the world. The trucking industry in this country does more damage to the highway system in one year than do all the cars in 10 years, yet it is the general populous that pays the majority of highway repair bills.
I just got a call from the Meadowlands......Jimmy Hoffa disagrees with you.
That's why I personally prefer and drive a heavier vehicle despite the reduced mileage, to even out the safety odds, or as my Dad used to say, "Let the other guy bounce." To support your point, diesel is at about $3.80 per gallon here, and now there is a dearth of rail freight networks to take advantage of the emerging advantage long haul rail cost efficiency provides.
Airlines in Europe are considering seriously slashing European service because the consumer there has a very cost effective alternative for the distances travelled, bus and rail, and a lot of it. Non commuter auto driving distances are not that great. Public ground transportation is superior to ours, with very few exceptions.
Trucks do more than their share contributing to infrastructure deterioration, agreed. But we in MA. have a simple solution. Increase the gas tax, and jack the tolls (it's a "fee", not a a tax) on roads and bridges whose initial bond issues to fund construction were paid off decades ago.
Today I can drive Boston to NYC door to door in about the same time (4.5 hours, 240 miles, $35 in fuel one way) flying would take because of the decline of on-time service, increased security (delays), rising airline overbooking (get to the airport early), slower baggage check-in and retrieval (airline headcount reductions), and the time it takes to get a car rental.....traffic notwithstanding. Our transportation system is so screwed up it isn't even remotely comical at this point.
What transportation system? But what do we know?
BTW, please approve more federal tax dollars to help pay off our "Big Dig" whose initial cost estimate of $3 Billion wound up costing $15 Billion, and counting. Pretty nice, though, we put that unsightly above ground highway underground. And the tunnels are leaking water profusely. Not to mention the ceiling malfunction that flattened a woman like a pancake.
Jack, Chuck, Sir James, et al...If we were to produce higher efficient solar cells we wouldn't need batteries in cars. My Dad and I have talked about this for years. If we had spent all the money we have spent subsidising the Oil industry for the last 30 years on solar cell research we would have solar cells the size of a half dollar that would provide enough power to run your car.One of the reasons the US prefers larger vehicles is due to the amount of truck traffic on the roads. When I lived in Germany and travelled the autobahns there was no where near the truck traffic there is on American highways. If we transported goods over long distances by rail, instead of via truck, there would be far less truck traffic on the highways. Then you rely more on local truck delivery than big-rig. Again, our problem here is organized labor. The trucking industry has a HUGE Unionized force and very strong lobbyist movement. Why do you think our trucks don't have hydraulic bumpers like they do in Europe? Also, big-rigs don't have the pollution standards here as there are elsewhere in the world. The trucking industry in this country does more damage to the highway system in one year than do all the cars in 10 years, yet it is the general populous that pays the majority of highway repair bills.Our transportation system is so screwed up it isn't even remotely comical at this point.
Chuck, good points. We think we have it bad with gasoline prices because of what we were used to. I think if the UK boys chime in here they will say we have no price per gallon problem relative to them and Europe in general, heavily influencing their car purchases and product offerings. Check out the horsepower in the cars Americans prefer to purchase now versus 20 years ago. It's way up, retarding the improvements in mileage. Same with the "average" vehicle weights. I don't think that the Brits and Japanese are snapping up those 2008 Honda Accords with 268 hosepower like we are.
Brent, after I read your recommendation, I was going to go back and use the edit function in the Forum to change my post, asking for "pics of Fife's layout" rather than "Fife pictures". But I was afraid Chief would object to the change. Maybe Fife pics would be entertaining after all.
Mike C, the race goes to the slow and sure. Keep at it.
Sir James, your state of Michigan has proudly and effectively led the nation in (beer) can and bottle recycling for 4 decades. The solution for battery recycling is the same. Make the incentives high enough. Granted, electric car practicality has been retarded by slower improvements in battery technology. Rising gas prices and tax incentives have fueled the domestic sales of hybrids here in the US. Reliability: My wife's cousin got 6 years and 158,000 trouble free miles on her Prius battery, unheard of just 10 years ago. Try to buy a new Toyota Prius below list in todays' depressed new car market (supply having difficulty keeping up with demand until recent production increases), or check out what the Kelly Blue book is on a used one with a zillion miles on it. Ouch! But American purchasing habits still seem to indicate overall we still like "bigger and faster" in our cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs.
lionroar88 wrote: fifedog wrote: Mornin' boys. Talyho Englsih. Feels like 11 degrees outside. I'll take that Orlando 33 right about now.cooltech - Howdy!88 - Nice video. 1) I didn't realize how cold your basement got...2) What kind of candy was in that bag?Isn't any one going to come to the Chief's defense...? Anyone...? Hello?Its a bag of Utz Pretzel rounds - brain food for when I set something up and don't like how it turned out.
fifedog wrote: Mornin' boys. Talyho Englsih. Feels like 11 degrees outside. I'll take that Orlando 33 right about now.cooltech - Howdy!88 - Nice video. 1) I didn't realize how cold your basement got...2) What kind of candy was in that bag?Isn't any one going to come to the Chief's defense...? Anyone...? Hello?
Mornin' boys. Talyho Englsih. Feels like 11 degrees outside. I'll take that Orlando 33 right about now.
cooltech - Howdy!
88 - Nice video. 1) I didn't realize how cold your basement got...2) What kind of candy was in that bag?
Isn't any one going to come to the Chief's defense...? Anyone...?
Hello?
Oh I thought the pretzel rounds was where you got your ideas from for your layout the shape of them
Chief doesn't need anybody to defend him hes does fine combatting on his own . 2 ohios picking on one north carolina is about as fair of a fight you can get right chief? Might even take 3 to 1 to make it completely fair
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Well, that looked dumb. NO, in answer to fifedog's question.
Maybe they should start making more Motor Scooters. I nice Cushman Eagle would work good. I had one years ago.
Good Morning All
Electric cars this morning eh,My concern is the batteries,what will they do with the used ones? Will they end up covering miles of soil like old tires? And of course the energy to charge them is a concern. If it was such a great thing wouldn't it have advanced more by now?
Well we have sun and 12 degrees,expecting some more of that wonderful snow tonite. Come July when we need rain there won't be any. Enjoy your day,,,S.J.
Good morning all,
IIABSDISEI with temps in the 20s. It is nice to see the sun out again. Fifedog, I do not think NASCAR would ever run a Cup race on the same track and weekend as an IRL race. There have been some truck races on the same weekend. I do think car counts will be respectable for the IRL with anywhere from 25 to 30 at the other venues and up to 40 trying to make the starting 33 at Indy. Blueberry Hill, that was an interesting observation about electric cars. I hope I am retired by then or that they have a car capable of going over 100 miles at 70+ MPH on one charge. I did go to the YMCA to do weights, and I did about 10 minutes of track work at my normal speed without too many breathing problems. Tonight is a 30 minute session so this will be a true test. I had the usual fare on the dining car this morning. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Mornin' Fellas.Well I got the call last night that the switches were in! Stopped and picked them up, installed them, and now I have to trim back the second level subroadbed to gain about 1.25 inches of space. Now waiting on the track I had to order to finish the mock up of the Polack Gourge Line. Also was able to get an idea on how the river will be routed. I'm thinking I can get another arch-under bridge too so this scene could really turn out neat! As I was mocking it up last night I got to thinking about the whole bridge pier/abutment thing and I think I'm going to go with a retaining wall look. When I was setting everything up I could just imagine there being a retaining wall along the one side and a cut hillside on the other...Chuck - I hear you on the price of gas thing... we need SOLAR cars, not electric cars. Electricity is still generated with coal, natural gas, and petroleum so why make cars that run on something genereated by these products? Nah, we need hi efficient solar panels - that will really put a damper on the big conglomerates.
Good Morning from Blueberryhill....
It is a cold 14 degrees. Snow on the ground. Going up to only 27 today, with a few more snow flurries. Winter is still here.
Today, I am taking it easy. I have a few things to do around the house and then, I will run trains for awhile. Yesterday was not fun. Roads were good, but prices are going back up. Gas was at $3.09 a gallon, and in some places was $3.15. Food prices are climbing up too. And the answer to it all is.....Have the car companies build electric cars by 2020. LOL
Dining car has rolled in and it is ready for breakfast. Later.
Y'all have a great Thursday.
Chuck
Morning all,
Talyllyn = Pronounced "Tally Lynn" I think, but then again I not very good with Welsh...
Sky Travel Channel 2 Is devoted to trains on Tuesdays. Mostly its the Swiss Railways.
Have a good one
Nick
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