Have high gas prices affected your participation in the hobby?

[Anonymous]

Folks overseas have long paid more for gas than we do in the U.S. But there are a number of factors that tend to even things out a bit. For one thing, typical driving (commuting) distances are much smaller in other countries than they are in the U.S. Also, folks in other countries also tend to drive smaller and more gas-efficient cars. And, a food portion of the taxes they pay for gas are used to support a well-developed and highly-used public transit system--a feature woefully missing in the U.S.

Furthermore, in the U.S. we have oil resources available that would, if developed, afford us far less dependency on foreign oil (if we were just smart, realistic, or reasonable enough to exploit those resources). As I understand it, just about all the oil and gas used in Europe and Great Britain has to come from somewhere else.

All of these factors, and probably a few more, account for the additional cost of gas and oil paid by those living outside the U.S.

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Allan,
Don't forget taxes, tax taxes, and tax on the tax tax!!

Most of that is why they developed the smaller engined, lighter, and more efficient cars that they drive. I'm no longer 18, I wouldn't want to drive from Philly to Chicago shoehorned into a VW Beetle with 4 friends at this stage of my life!

[Chompers]

All though i don't drive... gas is up to $3.29 in NY.

[GP-9_Man11786]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Chompers

All though i don't drive... gas is up to $3.29 in NY.

Here in New Paltz, NY it's $3.49 at station right by I-87. The trick is to get gas away from the major highway where it is often a dime cheaper. Residents of the garden state have it cheaper on the turnpike because they can onl;y change the price once a week. But in NY the tax is 48 cents per allon. When will they learn that this tax is only hurting the economy?

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Capt Bob Johnson

Allan,
Don't forget taxes, tax taxes, and tax on the tax tax!!

Most of that is why they developed the smaller engined, lighter, and more efficient cars that they drive. I'm no longer 18, I wouldn't want to drive from Philly to Chicago shoehorned into a VW Beetle with 4 friends at this stage of my life!

Bob,

You wouldn't need to, unless you want that retro feel.[;)][:)]

BTW the Philly to Chicago distance on a European type train would be no stress, seeing the scenery go by, playing cards, reading a book, talking with "strangers" etc. etc. Just like in Arlo Guthrie's "City of New Orleans", but with a modern feel.

As far as getting "from one end of town to the other" is concerned; the last time I did any driving in Switzerland or anywhere else in Europe was 1972. For me it's public transit: trains, streetcars, trolley buses etc. etc.
No muss, no fuss.

And yes; high gas prices, road taxes, licensing fees and insurance rates see to it that public transit gets plenty of use.
OTOH on a train trip you get the chance to talk with complete strangers - provided you're not too shy and haven't forgotten how to do that since you're always cocooned in a tincan called "car".

[Tom The Brat]

Been walking the last couple days. Left the car sitting behind the shop.

[Capt Bob Johnson]

HJ
I rode trains for many years. Lived on Media local line from 30th St. Philly to Media for 4 years; and then another 8 years out past Media. For work rode main line PRR from 30th St to Wilm, DE for 25 years. In Ice season when boats couldn't come alongside in canal, rode PRR Philly to Balt & reverse.

1 coal train a week in Slower Lower DE does not cut the mustard for getting around!

Been saying that with all the state workers who commute from down here to Dover, they ought to get an RDC and try a worker's commuter train from So. DE to Dover, and if that works then try one up to Wilm.

[underworld]

It definately has affected me. Since the beginning of May when the trans went out on my diesel and I had to start driving my gas burner, I have spent over $2400 on gasoline. That would be about $800 - $900 in diesel (due to the better mileage of the diesel car) At least when I had the diesel to drive it didn't seem quite as bad. With fuel costs up that means trucking/air cargo/shipping is up. So whether you buy at the local store or online or mail order.....everything is going to cost more.....and many things have already gone up some time ago. [xx(]

underworld

[Capt Bob Johnson]

People coming to thier senses around here and prices are dropping. After all, we are in the #2 refining center in the nation, thus have lower transportation costs than most.
Last week price at a few stations along the shore was up to $3.69 (I saw 1 at $3.89), by Saturday had gone down to $3.29, yesterday were down to $3.18! As prices were raised 4 or 5 times in one day, what has happend between the close of business Friday and Sunday evening of Labor Day Weekend to cause a 50 cent drop in price??? I think a bunch of people hit the panic button! Bet it's back under $3 by Wednesday!

[Tom The Brat]

Paid 3.10 yesterday. That's a little bit down from what it was. I only heard one report of lines in this mostly empty part of Illinois.

[markn]

Just a little off topic-but the wife tried to get some bananas at the store today and they are out with no stock due in-seems Gulfport Miss is the main US entry port for them-so stand by, $3.10 for gas may be just be the first of the impact.

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by markn

Just a little off topic-but the wife tried to get some bananas at the store today and they are out with no stock due in-seems Gulfport Miss is the main US entry port for them-so stand by, $3.10 for gas may be just be the first of the impact.

Hi Mark,

Apparently N.O. is also a major entry/distribution point for coffee, which could be worse than missing the bananas. [;)][;)]

BTW there was a small note in the press in the "Great White North" that train loads of softwood lumber and beef are ready to roll, just as soon as "we" get the word. [;)][:)][;)]
Yep, that's Off Topic, but very topical in some parts of Western Canada.[;)][:)][;)]

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Shouldn't really have any long term effect on your bananas. Wilm, DE is really the biggest import port for them with other places being Charleston, Tampa, the now defunct Gulfport & New Orleans, one of the ports over in Texas(Maybe Corpus Christi?), & a couple over on the Left Coast.

Once roads are reopened for trucking the containers and the logisitics of diversion are
worked out they should be in plentiful supply again.

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by RhB_HJ

QUOTE: Originally posted by markn

Just a little off topic-but the wife tried to get some bananas at the store today and they are out with no stock due in-seems Gulfport Miss is the main US entry port for them-so stand by, $3.10 for gas may be just be the first of the impact.

Hi Mark,

Apparently N.O. is also a major entry/distribution point for coffee, which could be worse than missing the bananas. [;)][;)]

BTW there was a small note in the press in the "Great White North" that train loads of softwood lumber and beef are ready to roll, just as soon as "we" get the word. [;)][:)][;)]
Yep, that's Off Topic, but very topical in some parts of Western Canada.[;)][:)][;)]

Oh Oh, that means long lines and fist fights to get that Mocha Latte Decaf with Soy Milk which will now be $10 instead of $5 at Starbucks![}:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

Oh Oh, that means long lines and fist fights to get that Mocha Latte Decaf with Soy Milk which will now be $10 instead of $5 at Starbucks![}:)]

Decaf coffee ?
Isn't that a bit like drinking non-alcohol beer.
Believe me.You need a beer to get over the experience [:D]

[vsmith]

Hehehe, I'll stick to Mountain Dew and Pepsi, $1 a liter, cheaper than gas, now if they could invent a machine that ran off caffine.....?

D'OH I forgot, its called a bike![:p]

[Tom The Brat]

Remember, the bike doesn't run well on diet[;)]