I see your point Mr. Privara, but you're painting with much too broad of a brush. The environmental laws on the books now are doing a fine job and just what they're meant to do.
I don't know how old you are, but I'm old enough (65) to remember what it was like before those laws were passed. Believe me, it a LOT better now than it was 50 years ago, especially in the Northeast (Greater NY Area) where I'm from. Trust me on that.
If you want to beat the drum for saving the planet talk to the REAL culprits in this day and age, China, India, and parts of Africa. See if they'll listen.
Would I want a rail line next to me? You have to ask? I'm a railfan, man! What do you think? Especially if it's something I could use!
I'd love it even more if it was steam-powered!
I'm older than you by seven years. This is the 50th anniversary of the Cuyahoga River burning which led to the first Earth Day in 1970 and Nixon pushing many environmental laws including the EPA. I hope they survive the current train wreck. [see? on topic! ]
But protection means more than cleaning up dirty or water. Methane and CO2 have more and longer lasting negative consequences.
The Earth will survive our train wreck stewardship of it, however human beings may not. The Earth in its over 4 Billion years has survived many calamities, being struck by the body whose debris form the Moon and millions of asteroids - some big, some 'shooting stars' that just add 'dust' to the surface - each of the major calamities did have the effect of changing the life forms that inhabited the Earth. Are we, by our own actions creating that next life form changing calamity? The Earth will remain long after our present life forms have been replaced by whatever it is that will follow us! Then they can create their own 'Ancient Aliens' form of program - and we will the the Aliens that are being discussed.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
I don't want our descendents to struggle to exist on an apocalyptic earth if we could stop being so shortsighted and selfish and address this crisis.
Steve Sweeney It will take billions of dollars. Many billions. Land acquisition. Court fights. There will be construction corruption, financial manipulation. Buy America vs. off-the-shelf European/Japanese/Chinese/[fill in the blank]. Most people won't want it in their back yards, but tourists and Millenials will flock to it. And when it's finished, it will be glorious: Half-hourly, clean, coach passenger service to even the remotest rural towns, deer path-crossings, and fishing spots. I vote for central and southern Wisconsin because: 1: That's where I live now. 2: Grades are mild. 3: Rail parcels, baggage service, and LCL freight service with rural broadband could really improve the quality of life in small towns and make moving there easier and more affordable. Connected properly, it should help people who live in big urban areas the opportunity to reverse commute to wherever they want and get me out of my car for nearly two hours a day. What say youse guys?
It will take billions of dollars. Many billions. Land acquisition. Court fights. There will be construction corruption, financial manipulation. Buy America vs. off-the-shelf European/Japanese/Chinese/[fill in the blank]. Most people won't want it in their back yards, but tourists and Millenials will flock to it. And when it's finished, it will be glorious: Half-hourly, clean, coach passenger service to even the remotest rural towns, deer path-crossings, and fishing spots.
I vote for central and southern Wisconsin because:
1: That's where I live now.
2: Grades are mild.
3: Rail parcels, baggage service, and LCL freight service with rural broadband could really improve the quality of life in small towns and make moving there easier and more affordable. Connected properly, it should help people who live in big urban areas the opportunity to reverse commute to wherever they want and get me out of my car for nearly two hours a day.
What say youse guys?
Nowhere...As long as the monopoly known as Amtrak keeps passenger rail from striving in the US. You're better off building it in Asgard......Thor can help you flash butt weld the CWR.. He is the God of Thunder! Might come in handy..
SD60MAC9500As long as the monopoly known as Amtrak keeps passenger rail from striving in the US.
I would opine that, left to it's own devices (and with able management), Amtrak could thrive. Unfortunately, there are a good many people whose goal seems to be to close it down. There's a lot of outside meddling going on.
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...
If railroad passenger service was as potentially profitable as some people claim, Amtrak would never have been established in the first place.
CSSHEGEWISCH If railroad passenger service was as potentially profitable as some people claim, Amtrak would never have been established in the first place.
Johnny
Agreed. At the same time, if people had to face the full cost of owning and operating an auto on the street/road network, they’d shudder. Here in Wisconsin, title and registration fees are going up and there will be a surcharge on hybrids. People squawk. If they only realized...but road travel defies economics.
Miningman I'd settle for this :
I'd settle for this :
Me too! How cool is that?
I'll tell you what, one of the reasons Lady Firestorm and I bought our first house in Sussex County NJ was the nearby Morris County Central, a very cool steam tourist railroad.
It went out of business just before we moved in! DAMN IT!!! Of all the rotten luck!!!
It was a nice place to live just the same. Just not the same.
My vote would be Vancouver, BC - Salem, OR - it's a crowded, wealthy area that isn't as thickly settled as the NEC (so there's plenty of wilderness to build in, as opposed to someone's back yard), much of the land is fairly flat, and the population is exploding, so the need is great and growing with time.
GrampIf they only realized...but road travel defies economics.
And if you have an accident, the salaries of the police and/or fire department are not paid by gas taxes but by the local property taxes. The court cases may get some fines collected but much of the infrastructure is not paid for through vehicle charges but by the local taxpayer.
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