Gasoline Prices.

[selector]

My wife and I traveled from Vancouver Island, BC, to the interior of the Province last Thursday. Gas was CDN $0.93/litre, or about $3.70 a US gal. Correcting for exchange rate, that would be about $2.90/gal for you. After a ferry ride, and a one-hour trip to a place called Chilliwack, we paid about US$1.80. You tell me how local market forces, and not oil price/barrel, are not a heavy factor in a given area.

There is more to this than meets the eye.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by donclark

I bet that station selling gas at $1.72 will be increasing its prices once a new load of fuel arrives.....
4 wheel drive 4 cyclinder pickups are available.....if you need traction.....

The point I was attempting to make is that in Europe where gas prices are at $4 and $5 a gallon, Volkswagen sells two car makes that they don't in America.... At the very same time we are complaining about $2 a gallon gas, our neighbors in Nova Scotia, Canada are spending close to $4 a gallon.....

I don't have to force anyone, it won't be long before the American government bans 8 cyclinder cars..... and increase the gas mileage rates for all cars sold in America....
When? Sooner than you think.....

WAKE UP! CHEAP GAS IS A THING OF THE PAST!

Ya.......Im starting to agree with you more. My Dad told me the same thing that this was gona happen sooner or later. And sure enough. Oh and another thing,It realy stinks when Coffiee Prices goes up to[:(],Because I need my Coffiee. Because when I don't,Well that's another thing.
BNSFrailfan.

[Anonymous]

Id rather own a Horse! Why? So you don't have to worry about going to the Gas station every time just fill it and not worry about draining your wallet.
On the oppsite side of thing's,The ONLY thing you do have to worry about is keeping the thing Fed!
BNSFrailfan.

[miniwyo]

I like to drive along a highway and if I happen to see a 2 track road that goes off into the desert towards the rails, and I know that its public land, I like to take it and see If I gan get a good vantage point. One of my favorite plaves to go is a dirt road that HAS to be done in 4 wheel drive especially this time of year. I have pulled out so many people in the past week just becasue they were being stupid and wanted to take a small car and enjoy the scenery. I dont go anywhere off road with out Tire Chains, A Tow Rope or Tow chain, a Shovel, and a Sheepherder's jack. Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against light trucks, I myself drive a Ford Ranger.but I think here it is bare minimum of things that you will need in this place. I just think that you need somthing bigger than 4 cylinders worth of power. You are correct 440cuin, too much power will get you stuck IF you dont know how to use it.

[Anonymous]

Paid $2.38 a gallon just 30 minutes ago in Los Angeles. I have one of those train chasing 4wd vehicles and it cost $3.12 a gallon out in the desert area where the trains go....so it's either stop chasing trains or stop driving, er, I love those trains......

[eolafan]

Regular unleaded hit $2.02 per here in Aurora, IL at my corner Mobil station but can be had as "little" as $1.97 per at the Thornton independent station about a mile away. Am I frustrated and a bit angry over these prices, YOU BET YOUR BOOTY I AM, but I am also glad I don't live in most European countries where they would get in line for miles just to get a gallon for the equivelent of $2.00 per!

[cpbloom]

I find it odd that some people are convinced they need an SUV/large vehicle and some of those people are on the same message boards where others try to justify the use of trains as an alternative means of passenger transportation. I guess if some railfans aren't "buying" it then a lot of non-railfans surely aren't either.

[TH&B]

My question still is why do you need a big gas guzzeling 4 wheel drive to railfan in Wyoming??? What you realy need is a small 4by4 , too much HP gets you stuck in the first place anyways.

Personaly I like driving BIG GAS GUZZLING PEG LEGS !!!! and if I get stuck... so be it, hehehehe I always got out before or just ABANDON SHIP MATES!

[Anonymous]

I bet that station selling gas at $1.72 will be increasing its prices once a new load of fuel arrives.....
4 wheel drive 4 cyclinder pickups are available.....if you need traction.....

The point I was attempting to make is that in Europe where gas prices are at $4 and $5 a gallon, Volkswagen sells two car makes that they don't in America.... At the very same time we are complaining about $2 a gallon gas, our neighbors in Nova Scotia, Canada are spending close to $4 a gallon.....

I don't have to force anyone, it won't be long before the American government bans 8 cyclinder cars..... and increase the gas mileage rates for all cars sold in America....
When? Sooner than you think.....

WAKE UP! CHEAP GAS IS A THING OF THE PAST!

[spbed]

I sent you a Email with my route [:)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by miniwyo

QUOTE: Originally posted by donclark

We can do as the Europeans and Japanese do..... when it comes to hauling freight such as a big screen televison from Walmart.
A.) Rent a truck
B.) Have the store deliver
C.) Hire someone else to deliver

Why people claim they have to buy a SUV when their SUV never sees the light of day off a paved highway is beyond me... Why people claim they have to have a pickup when the largest thing they have ever hauled in its bed is a big screen television is beyond me....

Yes, even ranchers and farmers in Europe and Japan manage to do well using the above options without a pickup.....

And there is always the 4 cyclinder compact pickup.....

Up until the new release of the 2004 Volkswagen Golf this year, for the past 3 years the largest selling car in Europe was the Volkswagen Lupo....then the Volkswagen Polo, and then the Volkswagen Golf. The Lupo is a three cyclinder very small car, what the Europeans are calling a city car, which gets over 60 MPG in its diesel configuration....

In Europe a fuel efficient vehicle is 60 MPG, in America most think 30 MPG is fuel efficient..... That's the problem!

As for large houses, dream on! A new large house with all the modern energy efficiencies don't save you half your electricity bill.... what's saved in heating and air conditioning is wasted on more lights and applicances being used....

A new small house with all the modern energy efficiencies will result in half the energy bill of a new large house twice as large,,,,, Lets not compare old houses with new.....that's like comparing apples with oranges.....

I'll tell you what, next october, move here and drive a little 2 wheel drive, 4 cylinder, pick up truck all winter long and then just about this time you go out to see some of the country or go railfanning then you will see the need for a lagre V6 / V8 Truck or SUV. Get stuck and you will see the need even more.

QUOTE:
Originally posted by spbed
I will be in WY in late May/early June. I will be for sure at Evanston, Granger & Green River. Do you know if you are on I80 from Green River to the Utah border do the UPRR tracks run close enough to the interstate that you can some some good shots of the UPRR moving along the overland route?

Hey spbed, Email me at [e-mail] and tell me what routes you are taking through wyoming, and where you are going and I will be able to tell you better. Thanks!




Oh and everyone, I filled up my truck yesterday for $1.72/gallon [}:)]


there is a station on the outskirts of town that is selling regular unleaded gas for almost $2.20 a gallon, when you can get ti for $1.72 in town. How that place makes money is beyond me.

[spbed]

I do understand the situation you describe. When I lived in the snow belt I use to put some sandbags in my 2 wheel drive rear axle drive car to give myself some more traction. I am sure your winters are probably even more severe then in the NE. Under any circumstances the spike is forthcoming. Be oreoared sorry to say[:(]

QUOTE: Originally posted by miniwyo

QUOTE: Originally posted by donclark

We can do as the Europeans and Japanese do..... when it comes to hauling freight such as a big screen televison from Walmart.
A.) Rent a truck
B.) Have the store deliver
C.) Hire someone else to deliver

Why people claim they have to buy a SUV when their SUV never sees the light of day off a paved highway is beyond me... Why people claim they have to have a pickup when the largest thing they have ever hauled in its bed is a big screen television is beyond me....

Yes, even ranchers and farmers in Europe and Japan manage to do well using the above options without a pickup.....

And there is always the 4 cyclinder compact pickup.....

Up until the new release of the 2004 Volkswagen Golf this year, for the past 3 years the largest selling car in Europe was the Volkswagen Lupo....then the Volkswagen Polo, and then the Volkswagen Golf. The Lupo is a three cyclinder very small car, what the Europeans are calling a city car, which gets over 60 MPG in its diesel configuration....

In Europe a fuel efficient vehicle is 60 MPG, in America most think 30 MPG is fuel efficient..... That's the problem!

As for large houses, dream on! A new large house with all the modern energy efficiencies don't save you half your electricity bill.... what's saved in heating and air conditioning is wasted on more lights and applicances being used....

A new small house with all the modern energy efficiencies will result in half the energy bill of a new large house twice as large,,,,, Lets not compare old houses with new.....that's like comparing apples with oranges.....

I'll tell you what, next october, move here and drive a little 2 wheel drive, 4 cylinder, pick up truck all winter long and then just about this time you go out to see some of the country or go railfanning then you will see the need for a lagre V6 / V8 Truck or SUV. Get stuck and you will see the need even more.

QUOTE:
Originally posted by spbed
I will be in WY in late May/early June. I will be for sure at Evanston, Granger & Green River. Do you know if you are on I80 from Green River to the Utah border do the UPRR tracks run close enough to the interstate that you can some some good shots of the UPRR moving along the overland route?

Hey spbed, Email me at [e-mail] and tell me what routes you are taking through wyoming, and where you are going and I will be able to tell you better. Thanks!




Oh and everyone, I filled up my truck yesterday for $1.72/gallon [}:)]


there is a station on the outskirts of town that is selling regular unleaded gas for almost $2.20 a gallon, when you can get ti for $1.72 in town. How that place makes money is beyond me.

[miniwyo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by donclark

We can do as the Europeans and Japanese do..... when it comes to hauling freight such as a big screen televison from Walmart.
A.) Rent a truck
B.) Have the store deliver
C.) Hire someone else to deliver

Why people claim they have to buy a SUV when their SUV never sees the light of day off a paved highway is beyond me... Why people claim they have to have a pickup when the largest thing they have ever hauled in its bed is a big screen television is beyond me....

Yes, even ranchers and farmers in Europe and Japan manage to do well using the above options without a pickup.....

And there is always the 4 cyclinder compact pickup.....

Up until the new release of the 2004 Volkswagen Golf this year, for the past 3 years the largest selling car in Europe was the Volkswagen Lupo....then the Volkswagen Polo, and then the Volkswagen Golf. The Lupo is a three cyclinder very small car, what the Europeans are calling a city car, which gets over 60 MPG in its diesel configuration....

In Europe a fuel efficient vehicle is 60 MPG, in America most think 30 MPG is fuel efficient..... That's the problem!

As for large houses, dream on! A new large house with all the modern energy efficiencies don't save you half your electricity bill.... what's saved in heating and air conditioning is wasted on more lights and applicances being used....

A new small house with all the modern energy efficiencies will result in half the energy bill of a new large house twice as large,,,,, Lets not compare old houses with new.....that's like comparing apples with oranges.....

I'll tell you what, next october, move here and drive a little 2 wheel drive, 4 cylinder, pick up truck all winter long and then just about this time you go out to see some of the country or go railfanning then you will see the need for a lagre V6 / V8 Truck or SUV. Get stuck and you will see the need even more.

QUOTE:
Originally posted by spbed
I will be in WY in late May/early June. I will be for sure at Evanston, Granger & Green River. Do you know if you are on I80 from Green River to the Utah border do the UPRR tracks run close enough to the interstate that you can some some good shots of the UPRR moving along the overland route?

Hey spbed, Email me at [e-mail] and tell me what routes you are taking through wyoming, and where you are going and I will be able to tell you better. Thanks!




Oh and everyone, I filled up my truck yesterday for $1.72/gallon [}:)]


there is a station on the outskirts of town that is selling regular unleaded gas for almost $2.20 a gallon, when you can get ti for $1.72 in town. How that place makes money is beyond me.

[spbed]

I keep a log 8/9 months ago I paid $1.40 per gal now it is $2.10 for 87 octane. [:(]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wcfan4ever

Gas here in Wisconsin is between $2.05 and $2.20 a gallon! I remember when I saw gas at $0.99/gal! Those were the days but I was too young to drive yet! I also remember seeing gas in Kansas City in 2001 for $0.96! Ever since then, I dont think I have seen gas prices go down...just up. I just wi***hey would fix the price at $1.75/gallon and be done with it!

[spbed]

I was alluding to what some else said is that gas guzzlers are needed because we zip along at a quick pace. Just check out what the Europeans drive at the speed he mentioned & that includes driving on the no speed limit Autobahn. [:o)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by uzurpator

QUOTE: Originally posted by spbed

Have you seen the cars Europeans drive @ 70MPH?

Of course. Infact - I see them do it every day...

[wcfan4ever]

Gas here in Wisconsin is between $2.05 and $2.20 a gallon! I remember when I saw gas at $0.99/gal! Those were the days but I was too young to drive yet! I also remember seeing gas in Kansas City in 2001 for $0.96! Ever since then, I dont think I have seen gas prices go down...just up. I just wi***hey would fix the price at $1.75/gallon and be done with it!

[spbed]

Very sorry to say but like a bad dream hi prices are coming to your area very, very shortly. [:(]

QUOTE: Originally posted by artmark

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

$2.00 a gallon!!! Where????? Sheeee-iiit let me fill my tank, Hell I'll fill my wifes tank and a couple of empty trash cans as well!!!!


Sheeesh! you guys are SPOILED!!!! Gas prices here on the lefty coast haven't been below $2.00 a gallon since Clinton was in office. I average $2.25 and thats at the cheepie ARCO stations. $2.50 is common at the big brands. There saying here that $3.00 a gallon is likely by the end of summer. So chew on that while whinning about pouring $2.00 a gallon gas into your giant Dodge Pigasaurous.

Ducking from the angry replys I know are coming[:D][;)]

$1.99 out here in the cornyards of North Central Hoosierland. 11 year old Chrysler mini-van to boot!

Mitch

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

$2.00 a gallon!!! Where????? Sheeee-iiit let me fill my tank, Hell I'll fill my wifes tank and a couple of empty trash cans as well!!!!


Sheeesh! you guys are SPOILED!!!! Gas prices here on the lefty coast haven't been below $2.00 a gallon since Clinton was in office. I average $2.25 and thats at the cheepie ARCO stations. $2.50 is common at the big brands. There saying here that $3.00 a gallon is likely by the end of summer. So chew on that while whinning about pouring $2.00 a gallon gas into your giant Dodge Pigasaurous.

Ducking from the angry replys I know are coming[:D][;)]

$1.99 out here in the cornyards of North Central Hoosierland. 11 year old Chrysler mini-van to boot!

Mitch

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

...As we all understand Calif. gas prices are and have been for some time higher in price than much of the rest of the nation...I suppose the fact they require different mix of fuel to control polution contributes greatly to a higher price.

Yep on both counts, smog controls dont really effect fuel economy like the early version in the 70s did, but we get our gas like fine coffee, witha "Summer Blend" and a "Winter Blend"...the Summer Blend is the one that makes the wallet scream...but NO ONE who remembers wants to go back to the pre-smog control days of horrendously smoggy skies like we had back in the 70's.

On a plus note, more hybrids are showing up, I've driven a few of them and they are realy good cars and Mercedes will start selling their little Smart car here later, 68mpg, 80 mph and can park in 1/2 a stall, I'm definelty curious![8D]

[Modelcar]

PS....and I need to add the vehicles also require different polution standards that most likely allows them to perform with less fuel economy.

[Modelcar]

...As we all understand Calif. gas prices are and have been for some time higher in price than much of the rest of the nation...I suppose the fact they require different mix of fuel to control polution contributes greatly to a higher price.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by spbed

Have you seen the cars Europeans drive @ 70MPH?

Of course. Infact - I see them do it every day...

[vsmith]

$2.00 a gallon!!! Where????? Sheeee-iiit let me fill my tank, Hell I'll fill my wifes tank and a couple of empty trash cans as well!!!!


Sheeesh! you guys are SPOILED!!!! Gas prices here on the lefty coast haven't been below $2.00 a gallon since Clinton was in office. I average $2.25 and thats at the cheepie ARCO stations. $2.50 is common at the big brands. There saying here that $3.00 a gallon is likely by the end of summer. So chew on that while whinning about pouring $2.00 a gallon gas into your giant Dodge Pigasaurous.

Ducking from the angry replys I know are coming[:D][;)]

[spbed]

Have you seen the cars Europeans drive @ 70MPH? Maybe THD's of the world have to begin to offering home delivery. Here is some food thought in case you are unaware ever barrel of oil we buy makes the Middle East countries & Russia stronger since they are the major suppliers of oil. Every barrel we buy from a foreign cointry makes us weaker. Maybe now is the time to take the bull by the horns to change the lifestyle on gas we have been used to for far to long. [:)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by HighIron2003ar

2.11 here in Arkansas. I keep my cars close to home so I hardly pay anything in gas thank god. There are many large vehicle users (Pickups, SUV's etc) that must commute to Little Rock every day and I am beginning to recognize them several times a week when they stop to fill up.

Part of the problem is the so called compact vehicle is just too small to survive a crash, haul a trailer, bring in goods from the Home Depot etc.

Also the larger the vehicle the more room you are given during rush hour especially when you are way past 70+ mph trying to make it to work ahead of everyone else. If that is not a fuel efficient speed then I dont know what is. These folks who fight and shove thier way past other traffic are bullies who waste money in gas and have no one to blame but themselves.

Refining capacity worries me more than the gas prices. I believe that in order to keep up with future growth we must construct more refineries and encourage hybrid and other technologies for vehicles. It is still possible to power a vehicle and out run fossil fueled cars today. Imagine what can be done in the future if we are really serious about easing the amount of gasoline we consume a day.

[GP-9_Man11786]

On Long Island where I live and here in the Hudson Valley where I go to school gas pirces are well north of the $2 per gallon mark. We also have horrible congestion on the roads. I think the answer to the problem of the railroads not getting the funding they need is for every comuter rail agency that serves New York City to shut down for 1 day. This will force thousnds of people onto the roads and force the politicians to look at both sides of the equation.

[Modelcar]

...I don't know where gasoline prices are going but we've been under this threat several times in the last decade or two and the prices DID rise but then moderated...so it's anyones guess now where we're going. True we've stired up the situation in the mid east and the jury is out on what that is going to produce.
As for what engine to have in a vehicle...It's not cut and dry whether it's a 4 or 6 cyl. or even a 5 cyl....We have many engines that perform well and still get decent fuel economy running down the road. Personally I have two V6 engined vehicles and they do fine....and now we have coming on the market V8's with DOD {deplacement on demand}, that allows them to perform and...get decent milage.
Just one comment on homes, etc....I have a total electric home so it really doesnt' matter how many lights I have on as they simply supply heat as well and then that means the electric heat doesn't have to kick on as quick...{Just a comment and simple theory}....I don't think we need to go to bare bones 3 cyl "toy" cars to perform in our society...we'll find a way to supply our energy...but I wish our government would start to pay more close attention of what is going on in this country and not as much minding it all in the mid eastern countries...with the spending of lives and our operational tax monies...Now I'll get down off the soap box....For now.

[passengerfan]

I guess its my age but I can remember filling my car for $5.00 as a teenager and now it costs $35.00 to fill my tank. I can remember gasoline prices at .17 cents a gallon during gas wars and .22 a gallon was the regular price and premium or ethyl as we called it in those days was .25 cents a gallon.
I am just now reaching retirement age so I wonder what the price of gasoline is going to be twenty years from now. Scary thought?

[spbed]

I went from 6 cyls to 4cyls. Now get over 30 MPG on the road & 25 MPG in the city. Better buy a enerfy efficent car NOW as the prices for them will soar. Her Ford is offering Explorers for $199.00 per month on a lease [:o)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF railfan.

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxengineer98

QUOTE: Originally posted by donclark

I suggest everyone do a google search on Peak Oil.... Yes, gasoline prices will continue to rise, $3 a galllon is not out of the question in 2 years, $4 a gallon is not out of the picture in 4 years, $5 a gallon is very probable in 6 years.....

No matter how high it goes up, we the consumers of gasoline, have not dropped our consumption, as demand keeps going up..... And with China continuing to consume more oil, we are doomed.....

Why anyone wants to buy a SUV or a large pickup, anything larger than a 4 cyclinder engine, is beyond me! Why the average house being built in America today is over 2,000 square feet, mini mansions are what they are building, is beyond me..... You'd think with doubling our energy costs in 2 years people would be buying smaller homes of 1,000 square feet instead.....

Half our energy use is to heat and air condition a home......

why would anyone want a 4 cylinder pickup truck or SUV... no power..or little power for hulling... cant pull a boat for crap behind a 4 cylinder.... and as far as the size of houses....if i want a big house...im getting a big house.... ever hear of high efficancy heating....geothermal heating... lots of aways to cut heating and cooling bills if you set your house up right...size dont mean crap..its how well you have it insulated and how effient your AC and furnes are.... you can live in your 1000 sq feet house..but i myself like lost of open space and big rooms...makes me feel more comfortable like the walls arnt closing in on me.....
csx engineer

That's why I got rid of my V8 for a V6 Instead!
BNSFrailfan.

[spbed]

I will be in WY in late May/early June. I will be for sure at Evanston, Granger & Green River. Do you know if you are on I80 from Green River to the Utah border do the UPRR tracks run close enough to the interstate that you can some some good shots of the UPRR moving along the overland route? [:)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by miniwyo

I guess its just the piece of mind here in Wyoming but, we see gas prices going up as a good thing, it means that oil costs more, meaning that there is more drilling operations, especially here, therefore more money into the oilfield in the state, giving the state more money. Also all the people who work in the oilfield make more money.

Also you all have ot think, if gas cost more back in the 1960s than it does now due to inflation, then it also means eventually, as the price of gas goes up then also the amount of pay will go up.
I think they were just talking about raising the minimum wage just this week.

[oltmannd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by donclark

I suggest everyone do a google search on Peak Oil.... Yes, gasoline prices will continue to rise, $3 a galllon is not out of the question in 2 years, $4 a gallon is not out of the picture in 4 years, $5 a gallon is very probable in 6 years.....

No matter how high it goes up, we the consumers of gasoline, have not dropped our consumption, as demand keeps going up..... And with China continuing to consume more oil, we are doomed.....

Why anyone wants to buy a SUV or a large pickup, anything larger than a 4 cyclinder engine, is beyond me! Why the average house being built in America today is over 2,000 square feet, mini mansions are what they are building, is beyond me..... You'd think with doubling our energy costs in 2 years people would be buying smaller homes of 1,000 square feet instead.....

Half our energy use is to heat and air condition a home......

I would think that biofuel (like ethanol) and reforming and refining coal gas would result in liquid transportation fuels less than $5/gallon. How about $3/gallon for a ceiling? I could live with that. $5/gallon ought to get you fuel from oil shale. Petroleum isn't the only source of liquid fuels for transportation. It's just been the cheapest so far.

Large SUVs? For towing.

Large homes? Large incomes. What else are people gonna spend their money on? (Besides gasoline for their SUVs and RVs)

[oltmannd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by donclark

We can do as the Europeans and Japanese do..... when it comes to hauling freight such as a big screen televison from Walmart.
A.) Rent a truck
B.) Have the store deliver
C.) Hire someone else to deliver

Why people claim they have to buy a SUV when their SUV never sees the light of day off a paved highway is beyond me... Why people claim they have to have a pickup when the largest thing they have ever hauled in its bed is a big screen television is beyond me....

Yes, even ranchers and farmers in Europe and Japan manage to do well using the above options without a pickup.....

And there is always the 4 cyclinder compact pickup.....

Up until the new release of the 2004 Volkswagen Golf this year, for the past 3 years the largest selling car in Europe was the Volkswagen Lupo....then the Volkswagen Polo, and then the Volkswagen Golf. The Lupo is a three cyclinder very small car, what the Europeans are calling a city car, which gets over 60 MPG in its diesel configuration....

In Europe a fuel efficient vehicle is 60 MPG, in America most think 30 MPG is fuel efficient..... That's the problem!

As for large houses, dream on! A new large house with all the modern energy efficiencies don't save you half your electricity bill.... what's saved in heating and air conditioning is wasted on more lights and applicances being used....

A new small house with all the modern energy efficiencies will result in half the energy bill of a new large house twice as large,,,,, Lets not compare old houses with new.....that's like comparing apples with oranges.....

Don-

You're not suggesting that we should restrict people's ability to choose how to spend their money, are you? Even if they want to spend it on things you don't understand?

I cannot understand anyone wanting to hunt or fish or keep a gun in their house, but I think it's just fine for others if that's what they want to do with their time and money -- even if I personally would judge the activity "wasteful" or "dangerous".