The day the spit hit the fan!...

[TrainFreak409]

I'm pro-rail all the way!

That is something...The thing that really gets me is the woman saying that she would include you in her lawsuit. I guess she didn't realize how stupid she sounds there. Just because you build a model of the to use as a representation doesn't mean that you are truely influencing anyone. If anything, you are helping them make a better informed decision because they have something to look at. Unless she got a real good lawyer, or the judge isn't the sharpest lightbulb in the Pop-Tart box, I don't see how it would fly. And because you did it voluntarily backs you up more; you are in no way affiliated with the town.

They are probably complain now. They now have to pay out the butt for gas, when they could have easily commuted on the train. Tisk tisk tisk.

Do you have any pictures of the diorama?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer

Another guy said he owned a dairy, and that the noise alone from the train going by every day would disturb his cows to the point that they wouldn't give milk...

That argument was being used back in the days of Stephenson's Rocket - wonder if he knew how old it was. All you need now is some "learned individual" claiming that people will be unable to breathe at speeds in excess of 30MPH...[:D]

[Tracklayer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

Adversity is not a good reason for not doing what is right. But I understand in this case.

Oh Chip, you should have heard them. One woman said she would include me in her law suit against the state if they tried to take her property away for the right of way (right). Another guy said he owned a dairy, and that the noise alone from the train going by every day would disturb his cows to the point that they wouldn't give milk... None of them would listen to reason, and no amount of money meant anything to them. They even tore down bill boards with ads on them about the train proposal. It was terrible... I didn't want to see anyone have to give up their home or property. I was just trying to do a service to the community, not sale or advertise anything...

Tracklayer

[rrinker]

I really hate to see a business give in to this pressure - because seldom does it actually work! The most rabid people have the SHORTEST memories, and they would be right back there buying what they need in short order.
Of course, these people are probably the same ones screaming the loudest about the price of gas, being that they were so much against an alternate form a transportation.

--Randy

[davekelly]

It's not just the anti-train crowd. It seems that civil, fact based discussion and debate is falling further and further away. It is easier to yell at someone and call others "tree huggers" "war mongers" "unpatriotic" "holier than thou" "devil worshipers" etc etc than to sit down and discuss the pros and cons among those with opposing opinions. Of course shouting maches and name calling is so much more fun and doesn't require an ounce of research or knowledge. We've become the land of the 30 second sound bite - if it takes longer than that to explain something - it must be wrong which may explain the why candidates to a national office actually debated the email tax (remember that urban legend?) and bunches are forwarding emails waiting for Bill Gates to give them their 10,000 dollars. Of course, when things don't go right because no one took the time to analyze the problem prior to acting, then it's finger pointing time.

It was quite sad and humerous at the same time when folks in this town were arguing the merits of the Harry Potter books and Power Ranger TV shows. I would say that 90 percent of the people that had an opinion one way or another (and were often litterally the loudest and most venomous on both sides) never read the book nor watched the shows.

To me the biggest indicator is a simple poll. Ask 10 co-workers to name their governor, representative and one senator. Then ask them to name 1 contestant on Survivor, the Apprentice and another "reality show."

[Anonymous]

Tracklayer,
what shamefull behaviour from Texans.., I am sorry you had to put up with such mean childish behaviour, some people just aint worthy the powder to blow em up, as my Grandfather used to say.

Peace.
Coyote

[SpaceMouse]

Adversity is not a good reason for not doing what is right. But I understand in this case.

[Anonymous]

Isn't it amazing the anti-train crowd can carry so much venom? We have a rail to trail issue in our town, the City, Park District, and newspaper are all anti-rail. The paper gives all the pro press on how great the trail will be but leaves out the crime element (we have the highest per capita muder rate right now, 2-3 shootings/murders per month in a city of 150,000) and how the gangs and dealers, will use the trail to run, cut across for sales etc, the land owners don't want it, but again no press. The past rail company wanted to keep the line, it is still in use, was eveicted, yet the paper smeared it to sound like they up and left, then the new rail provider, who is willing to do what ever the city wants, on their first day had a run a way train, crossed 7 intersections unflagged and unprotected going 30 mph threw very busy streets, luckely no one was hurt, but smashed into 3 train cars and layed the rail on it's side. Guess what, no press at all.

I feel for you, if you feel strongly about the servive, I wuld rally and find some local railfan groups to get behind you and present the facts. Most folks look at trains as a hinderance to their getting places, late for work and so on.

PRO-RAIL!!!

[Tracklayer]

Those of you from Texas might remember the proposed high speed bullet train that was planned to run from Dallas to Austin to Houston and back to Dallas again back in the early 90s. Well. I got caught up in that mess without really meaning to...

It all started when our local paper published an article about the train, and that there would be a town meeting about it. At that time, I just happened to have an N scale Bachmann TGV bullet train on hand, and decided to build a diorama "out of my own pocket" to put on display at one of the local businesses for people to see so that they would have some idea of what the train would look like if it ever became reality. At first, the manager of the business where I put it on display welcomed me with open arms, but within just a few days called me and told me to come and get the display or he was going to throw it in the dumpster...
What had happened was that those that were against the train project had accused the store manager of advertising the train, and threatened him that if he didn't remove the diorama that they were going to call the news agencies, picket the store and see to it that he lost his job for taking up sides with the train organization and defying the good of the community. Then they started calling me at home and blessing me out at all hours of the day and night causing me to have to have my phone number changed. The local paper even did an article with a front page picture of me and the diorama, and I had to write a letter of retraction that the store in question was not involved nor guilty of what the protesters had accused them of. I won't ever stick my neck out like that again!... Live and learn.

Tracklayer