UP bashing

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dougal

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy
What's an extra $5 if you're already paying close to $200.00?

Hmmm.... if NS did this tommarow I'd be paying around $300 a year for stuff (not all MR) that I would wind up paying for, about three or four are engines, thats 20 plus book, photos, ect. , I'd wind up paying $30 or $40 more, might not sound like a lot to most of you but I can hardly afford this hobby, also, $5 adds up over time, you might wind up paying hundreds, maybe thousands extra over time.

Well said Mark. This is exactly why this is such an important issue to people in this hobby. None of us need higher prices to satisfy corporate greed. I know that there are those that take the railroad's side, because it is their logo after all. But, remember that this whole thing only came up after the laws were changed. Prior to that UP hadn't even considered doing this.

[grandpopswalt]

Those of us who feel strongly that the UP's action is just plain wrong, not illegal, but wrong, owe it to ourselves and our fellow modelers to continue to protest this action. Not only to jawbone on these forums but more importantly to protest to the public at large.

Someone (any volunteers?) should compose a form letter that exposes the UP's pettiness. The letter could then be downloaded and signed by any of us who has a strong feeling on this subject and forwarded to as many newspapers, nationwide, as possible. The court of public opinion is sometimes more powerful than the judicial system (which would almost certainly side with the UP).

Again, this is not about legality but about ethics. Also about the precident that it sets if the UP goes ahead with their plans.

[darth9x9]

The situation with UP is what it is. Nothing will come of anything on the forums. Let's sit back and watch who is next. First UP, second CSX, who is next?

[Anonymous]

I like the UP from the time it was "the" UP. The time there was besides a MoPac, a Katy, a Western Pacific, a Rio Grande, and of course Southern Pacific darling. Nearly all the models of "that" UP I wanted, I have them. And if some manufacturer issues some "sex-bomb" model of that era, I shall get it (probably), and I do agree that the $5 extra bakchich will be peanuts compared to the price of that item.

After all, the Coca-Cola models that Athearn produces are not fee-free, neither are the John Deere models. And nobody protests for red and green but do for yellow, why?

This being said, I have seen an utmostly stupid topic down the list, trying to imply an "enronization" of UP. This is deeply idiot. What I envision is rather the following. UP now serves the West in a half-monopoly situation. With NS and/or CSX, it goes to the Atlantic coast. It will never expand North, may be will go South.

Meaning that UP is now in the way of being "trapped" within the boundaries of North America. So if further expansion there will be, that can be only on an other continent. And precisely, across the pond eastward, the European Commission in Brussels has asked that European states step back from maintaining railroads. They must privatize anyhow within I don't know for sure how many years, never mind.

What I believe can very well happen, is that UP may be tempted to buy one or more railroads in Europe. And probably the best nugget would be the French Railroads (SNCF). Why just SNCF? Because its network is at the crossroads of Europe. Geographically, all traffic or so to/from Spain/Portugal to Italy, UK, Germany, etc..., goes through France. It's SNCF that is co-owner of the Chunnel, through which goes all rail traffic, and some piggyback, between the UK and the continent.

Since the SNCF is counter-managed, the expectation in revenue from an made-efficient railroad is enormous.

But if SNCF's plant is -very- attractive, its social situation is a disaster. For that reason, the cost of purchasing the SNCF would be one of the lowest in Europe. No doubt for me that a Company like UP could propose a deal like "- OK, I purchase it. But I fire everybody and hire back tomorrow whomever suits me. And you French government, do me a favor, you make me benefit of the Disney amendment of the French social laws. That authorized Disneyland Paris to be a non-union company. Which is absolutely against the French social laws.

With a non-union railroad to manage, I certainly believe that UP has -LOTS- of money to make. The day I hear they do something like that, I purchase UP stocks.

But that's only my opinion.

[Anonymous]

IF PEOPLE ARE SICK OF THE THREAD, WHY OPEN IT?

[CBQ_Guy]

They asked for. Keep bashing away even if they don't get the message. They deserve it because they've started a precedent that will just keep getting worse!

The price of the hobby has been getting too high in my opinion to the point where the UP types now have noticed what we're paying for this overpriced stuff and think, "Hey, these guys have bottomless pockets. They'll pay ANY price to get what they want. Here's a chance for us to cash in on it, too!"

So now it starts, and little by little the other railroads will see it that way too and will also start lining up to charge us for "protecting" their logos, as well. And in the end the cost of this hobby we'll just keep going up and up. So maybe those us who just keep paying more and more for our toys are the ones who should be bashed.

You may not agree with this, but personally I don't care if you do or not because it's what "I" believe and it's the opinion I've come to, as is my right!

[Junctionfan]

I wish some folks if railroads must be bashed it was done with respectful critising and not foolishly. For example "UP rules and BNSF drools" is not my idea of intelligent critising. Also other railroads make real bone head moves. Honestly I would rather talk about what railroads should do and less of negative opinions when it comes down to the critising. My favourite subjects are modelling oddball cars or getting info on various infrastructure of the railroad. I am also interested in hypothetical opinions involving modeling and real life operation. That is my prime goal here.

[Anonymous]

Unless your a UP butt kisser.

[Roadtrp]

I really don't understand all the trauma. I mean if you don't like 7-UP and you think they are overcharging for their product, go buy Sprite. God knows it all tastes the same anyway.

Oh... you're talking about UNION PACIFIC, not 7-UP? Well, same thing. Aren't there many other loco's out there that are pretty much exactly the same as the UP's? Just a different paint job? Don't they pull just as many cars? Have the same low speed operation?

So if you don't like what they're charging for the 7-UP locos, by the Sprite locos. God knows it all tastes the same anyway.

[:P][:P]

[Anonymous]

UP rules BNSF drools!

[AntonioFP45]

AC44CTE (UP9899)

Joey,

A while back you mentioned the possibility of working for UP. How was your interview? Were you hired?

[AggroJones]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AC44CTE

UP rules BNSF drools!

Joey, if you're going to boast UP why don't you at least say somthing intelligent and insightful, as opposed to "Go UP!", "UP dominance", "All other roads suck", etc.
[V] [V] [V]

[AntonioFP45]

AggroJones [#ditto][#ditto]

Joey,

No hard feelings guy but:

When you were UP9899 I checked your link. I suggested that you post the info on the work you did on your locomotives, layout, weathering, as well as your Mars Light project. You have some very nice photos; include them! Why don't you contribute so newbies can see examples of creative work? Good quality input is what keeps this forum popular. [8D]

(BNSF drools? You may be joking around but, honestly, this makes you look very childish. [V] One may conclude that you enjoy trying to "ruffle feathers" which again is of course, your choice. But this is why some posters have taken "jabs" at you, sometimes. In turn, you respond back harshly. Who benefits? Nobody!!) [B)]

Consider that some contributors like Noah, for example, are in their early teens but post very intelligent feedback. These are just suggestions as you are still free to express yourself, but just think about it. [;)]

Take care, guy [:)][:D][C):-)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CP5415

It's time for everyone who has a problem with what Union Pacific is doing to protect their company logo GET OVER IT!!!!!!!!...

Gordon

My problem is not about protecting their current logos. They have every right to do that, and should. My problem is that they want to protect the trademarks of every railroad (counts vary - 500 to 1500) the UP borg has ever assimilated. Even railroads that haven't existed in over 100 years!

As I said yesterday in another thread, they can debate the C&NW as that's fairly recent, but trying to control the "Absorbed-in-1870 & Western"? That's another story. They even lost the D&RGW/SP marks in the first round, and that's almost as recent as the C&NW.

I think the MR crowd has a certain amount of tunnel vision. We forget that there are a lot of other products out there besides trains bearing UP logos that are critical of or detrimental to UP's image (the ubiquitous boy from 'Calvin & Hobbes'). Even if they aren't, UP must control them or it will lose control of its own logo. Again, I have no problem with current UP logos, just predecessors.

It's not just about model trains, although that is where the lawsuits seem to be aimed at the moment. It's the coffee mugs, t-shirts, window stickers, etc. too.

Jay
A voice of reason (hopefully)

[Anonymous]

Oh boy this will never end!