NorthWest 22: There is no grand Warren Buffet/Federal Government conspiracy that causes railroads to avoid maintenence and trains to crash or leads the FRA to skimp on oversight of rail safety. A lot of commenters seem to believe that there is... (See also #4.)
22: There is no grand Warren Buffet/Federal Government conspiracy that causes railroads to avoid maintenence and trains to crash or leads the FRA to skimp on oversight of rail safety. A lot of commenters seem to believe that there is... (See also #4.)
Does that include the "Burlington Northern Brought down the Milwaukee Road" conspiracy theory?
Happy July 4, by the way
The Beaverton, Fanno Creek & Bull Mountain Railroad
"Ruby Line Service"
Thanks, Bob. Christmas of '48 or '49, an uncle gave my youngest brother and me two Modern Wonder books--one about trains and railroading and one about ships, and I began learning about the means of traveling in civilized comfort (my wife's expression, coined before it became a true hassel to travel by air). In 1951, this brother and I took a trip, mostly by rail, to visit another brother, in Baton Rouge, and another uncle, in Chattanooga. This trip sealed my affection for rail travel. The next spring, I discovered Trains magazine, and I have subscribed since. I afflicted the agent in my home town with my presence, and watched the passenger trains in Charlotte as much as I could, talking with some of the employees.
When I got out into the world, I found more friendships with railroad employees, and was able, at times, to play with the real thing (I had no train to play with when I was little). As I have commented before, I would not now even dream of doing what I was able to do more than forty years ago.
Johnny
Your posts are a pleasure to read, but more than 60 years? I'm a product of the early 50's, very early, and I figure, except for the high BP, bad back, too much weight, bad knees, bad shoulder, bad ankles, I'm maybe 30'ish. I truely enjoy your civil comments as well as those from all of the above posters.
#20+/- Keep partison politics out of the discussions.
DeggestyYou hit the spot! Those of us who have been around for a while have gained knowledge in many ways, and when we come across such a question posed by someone who is new the wonderful world of railroading we should be glad to share the knowledge we have. There are times when I would like to share such knowledge as I have--but realize that someone else has a better understanding than I do and wait for the more knowledgeable person to provide the answer.
One seeming puzzlement, though, is how a long-dead thread (and I'm talking years, not days or weeks) is suddenly resurrected by someone who has plunged to the depths of old posts, meanwhile another person comes on the forum with a question that was discussed in depth just days ago (more or less).
Oftimes, the OP's question is briefly answered, and he/she is provided a link to a past thread in which such a discussion was held, possibly along with the polite suggestion that they use the search function.
Of course, given the vagaries of said search function, sometimes that isn't an option...
Any forum has its share of curmudgeons who deign to suffer "newbies." We're no different. Then, again, what might seem to the poster to be a polite response may be viewed by others as curt and impolite. Some days you can't win...
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
eolafan Technically your point #3 is incorrect...most larger (Class 1) railroads are NOT private corporations but are rather corporations owned by a combination of public citizens (that's folks like you and me) via stock purchases (through various vehicles) and also officers of the corporation (through their own stock ownership either through a private purchase or through stock given them as part of their compensation program/bonus program or other contractural arrangment related to their employment). A "private" company is generally owned outright by an individual or a relatively small group of individuals (such as a family).
Technically your point #3 is incorrect...most larger (Class 1) railroads are NOT private corporations but are rather corporations owned by a combination of public citizens (that's folks like you and me) via stock purchases (through various vehicles) and also officers of the corporation (through their own stock ownership either through a private purchase or through stock given them as part of their compensation program/bonus program or other contractural arrangment related to their employment). A "private" company is generally owned outright by an individual or a relatively small group of individuals (such as a family).
In the context of railroads the public/private divide is if the ownership is by governmental entity or nor. If some form of governmental entity is the owner - it is public. If not it is private, no mater if it is stock owner held company or a truly private owner held company.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Convicted One I noticed in this months (magazine) issue Q&A section, a reader wrote in asking how a train can turn around using a WYE. And the response given was not "you fool, we already have covered that countless times before, what's the matter, can't figure out how to use the search function?" Nor did the respondent try to spike the ball with some quip about the reader needing to contact the back issues dept or buy the DVD library. The magazine answered this seemingly basic question in complete sincerity. Evidently Kalmbach recognizes that their customer base is comprised of various and sundry levels of knowledge and experience, and is happy to accomodate all levels. I would suspect that their intent is similar here that their web presence be in support of their published product, and are more than happy for all levels of their customer base to participate here, when seekingfurther knowledge. Similarly I suspect the intent of their web based product is intended more to provide a means of attachment for their entire customer base than it is for the personal amusement of a few heavy handed members stroking themselves by making others feel sorry that they asked an "elementary" question. I could be wrong about that....the search function wasn't much help.
I noticed in this months (magazine) issue Q&A section, a reader wrote in asking how a train can turn around using a WYE. And the response given was not "you fool, we already have covered that countless times before, what's the matter, can't figure out how to use the search function?" Nor did the respondent try to spike the ball with some quip about the reader needing to contact the back issues dept or buy the DVD library. The magazine answered this seemingly basic question in complete sincerity.
Evidently Kalmbach recognizes that their customer base is comprised of various and sundry levels of knowledge and experience, and is happy to accomodate all levels.
I would suspect that their intent is similar here that their web presence be in support of their published product, and are more than happy for all levels of their customer base to participate here, when seekingfurther knowledge.
Similarly I suspect the intent of their web based product is intended more to provide a means of attachment for their entire customer base than it is for the personal amusement of a few heavy handed members stroking themselves by making others feel sorry that they asked an "elementary" question.
I could be wrong about that....the search function wasn't much help.
Indeed, we are blessed with this means to share our knowledge; when I think of what I first relied on for knowledge--more than sixty years ago: books, encyclopedia articles, conversations with railroad employees, and Trains magazine, I give thanks for the opportunities to learn more, and to share what I know--remembering how narrow my supply of information was then.
Paul of CovingtonHow come we got three 16's?
I think that the '15 1/2' confused me (fixed)
In my case, its because I didn't bother to read far enough up the forum. I only noticed that the gentleman above me was up to 15 1`/2, and without researching further assumed that mine is 16. Not sure about the other guy...
And sweet, come to think of it.
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
16's are cute?
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
How come we got three 16's?
19. This is a discussion forum, not a private club. people come here to exchange ideas, some more sophisticated than others. If some members ask questions that seem preposterously obvious to you, why hold that against them? Everyone has a learning curve. If the simplicity of their question offends you, then avoid it, go onto some other topic where your l337 skills are more useful. No need to berate somone for trying to expand their understanding.
20. This is the internet. Not everything you believe is going to appeal to everyone else. And not everything believed by others is going to appeal to you. If others are enjoying a legitimate conversation that you personally don't care for. Close that thread immediately and go to one of the many others you will like. No reason to unleash your control obsession and try to dictate to others what they should be thinking. Reporting a thread just because you object to the way legitimate subject matter is being presented does NOT make you more of a man.
BaltACD wanswheel 15. Abbreviate Amtrack. Spell out ATK. UMLER accepted abbreviation for Amtrak - AMTK
wanswheel 15. Abbreviate Amtrack. Spell out ATK.
UMLER accepted abbreviation for Amtrak - AMTK
Especially because ATK was a very different company in a very different industry! Unless there's a railroad building solid rocket boosters, weather satellites, and autocannons...
CMStPnP wins! That's all I'm going to say:
And on topic:
#16: Carefully phrase what you say in comments; many inocent statements have been taken offensively due to a simple misunderstanding.
Yes; I know the Bellingham Sub has it operational, and that it has caused delays and headaches at least once. My point #2 should have been more along the lines of "the reasons why most railroads will miss the PTC deadline are not cost alone".
Buslist Your point #2, that PTC hasn't been developed yet isn't quite right. The WABTEC system used as an overlay, and meeting the functionality required by the law is in place and operating in shadow mode on METROLINK in LA. The entire METROLINK network should have it up and running by the deadline. But that PTC that is supposed to increase capacity and provide untold business benefits, does not yet exist.
Your point #2, that PTC hasn't been developed yet isn't quite right. The WABTEC system used as an overlay, and meeting the functionality required by the law is in place and operating in shadow mode on METROLINK in LA. The entire METROLINK network should have it up and running by the deadline. But that PTC that is supposed to increase capacity and provide untold business benefits, does not yet exist.
In a paper on PTC presented by Wabtec at the International Heavy Haul Association Conference today they stated that PTC is active in revenue service on 10 BNSF subdivisions. But only 8000 of the 23,000 locomotives in the North American fleet are equipped.
oltmannd 14. GE locomotives may, or may not, be better than EMD's!
14. GE locomotives may, or may not, be better than EMD's!
CMStPnPI would guess 21-24 age range
I say over 30. Although I confess that's pretty vague in comparison to a very specific "21 to 24 " guess. I'm better at guessing if you are over 60, but any guess requires some reading of the posts of the person being "guessed" (the guessee?).
KBCpresidentHow old would you guess I was?
I would guess 21-24 age range. There was a young Marine on here not too long ago as well posting. Not sure what happened to him. I can usually tell by lingo and what your posting about.
Firelock76 By the way, have any of you ever seen some of those, uh, "discussions" between some You Tube commenters? Jeez, they're enough to make your hair stand on end!
By the way, have any of you ever seen some of those, uh, "discussions" between some You Tube commenters? Jeez, they're enough to make your hair stand on end!
Stand on end and boogie out of your head and onto the floor. Poor kids will be prematurely bald commenting on that stuff.
#15-1/2: Sometimes you have to explain things to me like I'm 4 years old, but you don't have to treat me like I'm 4 years old.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Deggesty cefinkjr Firelock76 Rule 12... Keep it polite, keep it respectful, you can question another posters views or viewpoints without questioning his or her integrity. Disagree without being disagreeable. If for some perverse reason you enjoy "You suck!" "No, YOU suck!" discussions I'd suggest you try You Tube. We're better than that. Where are the rating or voting buttons? I'd give this post a 10 on a scale of 1 to 5! Chuck, I agree with you, especially concerning Firelock's last recommendation. Such comments have absolutely no place in civilized conversation.
cefinkjr Firelock76 Rule 12... Keep it polite, keep it respectful, you can question another posters views or viewpoints without questioning his or her integrity. Disagree without being disagreeable. If for some perverse reason you enjoy "You suck!" "No, YOU suck!" discussions I'd suggest you try You Tube. We're better than that. Where are the rating or voting buttons? I'd give this post a 10 on a scale of 1 to 5!
Firelock76 Rule 12... Keep it polite, keep it respectful, you can question another posters views or viewpoints without questioning his or her integrity. Disagree without being disagreeable. If for some perverse reason you enjoy "You suck!" "No, YOU suck!" discussions I'd suggest you try You Tube. We're better than that.
Rule 12...
Keep it polite, keep it respectful, you can question another posters views or viewpoints without questioning his or her integrity.
Disagree without being disagreeable.
If for some perverse reason you enjoy "You suck!" "No, YOU suck!" discussions I'd suggest you try You Tube.
We're better than that.
Where are the rating or voting buttons? I'd give this post a 10 on a scale of 1 to 5!
Chuck, I agree with you, especially concerning Firelock's last recommendation. Such comments have absolutely no place in civilized conversation.
Thank you, gentlemen! I appreciate your sentiments!
Norm48327Can't be positive, but there's one poster who appears to be a teenager based on his refusal to accept other points of view.
One? Don't visit this site much, do you?
ChuckAllen, TX
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