Trains.com

Whose Ready for $3.00 a Gallon Gas

11328 views
262 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2005
  • From: Bath, England, UK
  • 712 posts
Posted by Tulyar15 on Monday, August 15, 2005 1:59 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Train Guy 3

QUOTE: Originally posted by waltersrails

ITS Bull for us little guys who try to make a living and can't even do that because of these stupid gas prices. I say we just swrew the envirmentalists and drill for that oil.

( Can't even drive to work any more)


I agree 100% to drill for the oil and say screw the enviormentalists. What do we lose by drilling?


Why do you need to drill in sensitive areas when there are plenty of subsitutes for oil that could be developed? In Britain a growing number of people make diesel oil from used cooking oil. There are now a couple of plants opened which do this on a commercial scale. In ma European countries they make bio diesel from a variety of plants, notably rape and sunflower. Recently 'The Economist' pointed out that if the US put its mind into developing these fuels it could be self sufficient in oil. Some of the smarter members of the Republican party are starting to wake up to the economic and security benefits this would bring. And it would be more environmentally friendly too!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 15, 2005 2:52 AM
Cars today are just not big enough to merit consideration. SUV's and pickups are the way to go. We are a self reliant people who hates to rent trucks just to get a sheet of plywood at home depot.

I recall fondly the late 60's plymouth fury III which we used to take to the commisary for food. We would fill 6 shopping carts, have a platoon of soldiers fill it (Alot of food was for business at the time) and three kids fit in the back seat. The cavernous trunk was able to hold a 1000 dollar's worth of groceries and still have room for the errand run at the drug store.

Try that on a late80's toyota corollia with a trunk about as big as a suitcase. Heck.. the toyota could fit in our old Chrysler New Yorker's engine bay under the hood. and I am not kidding.


THAT is the reason folks. Space in the cars is too small to be worth using much.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 15, 2005 8:13 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by waltersrails

ITS Bull for us little guys who try to make a living and can't even do that because of these stupid gas prices. I say we just swrew the envirmentalists and drill for that oil.

( Can't even drive to work any more)
And that is why when I get my Truck fixed I am just gona stay home from now on.
No more Railfanning for me. My Railfanning days are over. Allan.
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Atlanta
  • 11,971 posts
Posted by oltmannd on Monday, August 15, 2005 8:33 AM
I'd gladly pay $5/gal for gasoline rather than wait in line for it like we did in 1973 and 1980.

I remember paying $1.20/gal for gas when my salary was only 1/3 of what it is now, so $3/gal isn't without precedent.

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Monday, August 15, 2005 9:20 AM
....I doubt it there will be very many takers willing to cheerfully pay $5.00 a gal of gasoline.....Believe we're supposed to be a bit more in control then to have to do that...If not, then we need to quit spending our resources around the world making everyone else's life better.....Preparing them to take over "our" jobs from this country. such as our heavy industry...clothing...and the lists goes on and the jobs continue to go to those we've elevated out of 3rd world status....

Quentin

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Monday, August 15, 2005 1:36 PM
The irony is that while EVERYONE (general statement, not specific to anyone here) is whining about $3 gas, NO ONE is talking about higher milage standards, more fuel-efficient cars or greater mass-transit.

Seams to me everyone just likes some Cheese to go with their Whine, but in the end they will still fork over the $60 buck to fill their Ford Porkstedition, bend over, grab their ankles and say "Thank you Sir may I please have another!"

If you want to drive a big dino-car, then do so, just please dont cry about it like those dopes being interviewed on the evening news. "Oh, it cost TOO much!" as their filling their GM Gigantomatic SUV.

The days of Cheap gas are LONG gone, a fuel hungry China and India are looming over the horizon and anyone who thinks prices are gonna go back down to $2 is living in a dreamworld.

As for me. I considering trading in my truck (smallest and most fuel efficient in class) for a Scion xB, living in L.A. we have the highest costs in the country, the government is not going to do a single thing to help, so change is up to US, live with it or make some lifestyle choices.

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • 400 posts
Posted by martin.knoepfel on Monday, August 15, 2005 1:46 PM
Diesel-engines are more efficient than otto-engines, running with gas. In Europe, there are more and more cars powered with diesel-engines. (This has to do with tay incentives, too.) I do not understand why this should not be possible in the U.S. and in Canada
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Atlanta
  • 11,971 posts
Posted by oltmannd on Monday, August 15, 2005 2:15 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

....I doubt it there will be very many takers willing to cheerfully pay $5.00 a gal of gasoline.....Believe we're supposed to be a bit more in control then to have to do that...If not, then we need to quit spending our resources around the world making everyone else's life better.....Preparing them to take over "our" jobs from this country. such as our heavy industry...clothing...and the lists goes on and the jobs continue to go to those we've elevated out of 3rd world status....


I didn't say I'd ENJOY paying $5/gal, just that I'd PREFER it to rationing. Been there. Done that (twice!). Don't want to do it again!

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 15, 2005 3:05 PM
Mercedes Benz plans to sell “disotto” engines in a few years. It has a diesel’s high compression and glow plugs but burns gasoline they will be cleaner and more efficient than either diesel or otto engines.

We aren’t facing economic disaster because of technology. That evil Jimmy Carter had a crazy Socialist idea that there wasn’t an infinite oil supply. He had another crazy extreme Liberal idea that our oil addiction was financing people who believe in killing Americans. So he foolishly enacted conservation laws that would have by now cut our energy consumption in half.

Republicans scrapped his conservation laws in the 80’s for the benefit of automakers who forgot how to make a profit on cars and needed to sell SUV’s to make a profit.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 15, 2005 3:20 PM
We have both a nice fuel efficient car and a truck, The truck gets used ONLY when I need to go to Lowes or HD and the pull the boat to the lake, It burns diesel fuel and gets good mpg for a truck. We use the car for everything else, its a Suzuki Aerio AWD sport wagon, we need either 4wd for AWD here as we tend to get around 160" of snow each winter. I use a pellet stove to heat our moblie home to cut my natural gas bills. I wish someone would bring out a small diesel pickup, either toyota or nissian, as I dont need a full size but the old fullsize with a diesel gets better than the smaller trucks I can afford. Love the new Chevy Colorado and the Honda Ridgeline, but I cannot afford $24k+ for a new truck, or 30K+ for a hybrid as they are going for that around here. Diesel fuel should be much cheaper than it is as its easier to refine than gasoline, since its not in this country it keeps away the smaller diesel cars that they have in europe. VW makes a 3cyl diesel car about the size of a geo metro that gets just over 100mpg if you drive it normaily, but they dont bring it here do to emission standards!!!! Lets see here, it gets over 100mpg but it doesnt meet emissions???? Who is getting kick backs on this one??? Both Mercedes and BMW make diesel cars in Europe that will out run and get much better milage than anything we have, dont sound like diesels and dont smell like them either, but they also dont get imported. Just my 2 cents
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 15, 2005 3:33 PM
Well I tell you this much. The econemy is turning around and is going down hill real fast now. More job losses are to come now more than ever now. Looks like it time to start to look to another recession. Allan.
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Traveling in Middle Earth
  • 795 posts
Posted by Sterling1 on Monday, August 15, 2005 3:58 PM
What really makes me wonder is if we get $3 for gal. of gas (eventually) , why in some areas is gas being sold for as much as 20 cents cheaper than diesel even though diesel is lower on the cracker than gasoline? It makes no sense!
"There is nothing in life that compares with running a locomotive at 80-plus mph with the windows open, the traction motors screaming, the air horns fighting the rush of incoming air to make any sound at all, automobiles on adjacent highways trying and failing to catch up with you, and the unmistakable presence of raw power. You ride with fear in the pit of your stomach knowing you do not really have control of this beast." - D.C. Battle [Trains 10/2002 issue, p74.]
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Back home on the Chi to KC racetrack
  • 2,011 posts
Posted by edbenton on Monday, August 15, 2005 4:03 PM
Fuel taxes are higher on diesel than on gas by around 10-15 cents more. It is a way to tax trucks which bring everything into final points of consumpsion except maybe coal. Why do they do it simple a truck driver needs fuel to run and so he will buy it regardless if it is taxed another 15-20 higher than gas.
Always at war with those that think OTR trucking is EASY.
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Aurora, IL
  • 4,515 posts
Posted by eolafan on Monday, August 15, 2005 4:22 PM
Well, we are getting MUCH closer to the $3.00/gallon mark here in metro Chicago...I paid $2.85/gallon today at my local Shell station...good thing I drive a company car...I half expect the company to tell me to use the phone more and drive less...well, we'll see.
Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim)
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 15, 2005 6:01 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF railfan.

Well I tell you this much. The econemy is turning around and is going down hill real fast now. More job losses are to come now more than ever now. Looks like it time to start to look to another recession. Allan.
Can I ask just what in (you know where) are you smoking? We just came out of the recession Clinton caused, we are not loosing jobs, it is easer to find someone who doesn't believe we put a man on the moon, than it is to find someone who doesn't have a job. The economy is booming, it is headed up hill fast; oil and gas will come back down when people stop betting on the price. If the government would get out of the way, that would help too. Drilling for oil would have no harmful effect on the environment. Look at a map of Alaska; the area we would drill for oil in would be smaller than the end of a pen. It would be the size of a village, in all of Alaska, the state three times bigger than Texas.
James[C):-)]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 15, 2005 6:06 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Tulyar15

QUOTE: Originally posted by Train Guy 3

QUOTE: Originally posted by waltersrails

ITS Bull for us little guys who try to make a living and can't even do that because of these stupid gas prices. I say we just swrew the envirmentalists and drill for that oil.

( Can't even drive to work any more)


I agree 100% to drill for the oil and say screw the enviormentalists. What do we lose by drilling?


Why do you need to drill in sensitive areas when there are plenty of subsitutes for oil that could be developed? In Britain a growing number of people make diesel oil from used cooking oil. There are now a couple of plants opened which do this on a commercial scale. In ma European countries they make bio diesel from a variety of plants, notably rape and sunflower. Recently 'The Economist' pointed out that if the US put its mind into developing these fuels it could be self sufficient in oil. Some of the smarter members of the Republican party are starting to wake up to the economic and security benefits this would bring. And it would be more environmentally friendly too!
There is not enough used cooking oil too make enough fuel too matter. The big secret behind these fuels is that they cost more to make than buying oil. The government should keep its nose out of this; if bio diesel is so good, people will buy it. If they don't, don’t force them. Read my above post for the truth on this sensitive area.
James[C):-)]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 15, 2005 6:52 PM
Lotus098 if you where lestening to the news americans are now just starting to cut back. And gas prices are not going to ever go back down. they will just a little over time but never like we saw back over 5 years ago. gas will never go under 2 dollars ever again. I have to agree with the others on this forum that this country needs to go drill in alaska for our oil. china will continue to dry up as much oil as they that thay can get their hands on. And if you that just for once that clinton was bad,Bush is just as bad but not worse. Yes the economy is booming now,but just for once if the price of gas keeps going up as it is now,you can be sure that it won't be for long. people will spend less(much less) on other things. And they just said it on the news. people ARE going to hold on to their money. Now I don't think that their in no chance in hell that the word rationing will ever come up ever again but.....
Don't get me wrong. I have been wrong on alot of things. But the high price of gas is causing people to cut back.


Oh my God...Chimps smoking ciggeretts. What's next[:O][(-D]. I can't believe what I had just saw. Allan.
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Anywhere there are trains
  • 578 posts
Posted by Train Guy 3 on Monday, August 15, 2005 11:03 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Lotus098

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF railfan.

Well I tell you this much. The econemy is turning around and is going down hill real fast now. More job losses are to come now more than ever now. Looks like it time to start to look to another recession. Allan.
Can I ask just what in (you know where) are you smoking? We just came out of the recession Clinton caused, we are not loosing jobs, it is easer to find someone who doesn't believe we put a man on the moon, than it is to find someone who doesn't have a job. The economy is booming, it is headed up hill fast; oil and gas will come back down when people stop betting on the price. If the government would get out of the way, that would help too. Drilling for oil would have no harmful effect on the environment. Look at a map of Alaska; the area we would drill for oil in would be smaller than the end of a pen. It would be the size of a village, in all of Alaska, the state three times bigger than Texas.
James[C):-)]


I'm happy to see someone is on the same page as me. Besides if anything happens the EPA will be there to tell them to clean up. It's just like strip-minning, once your done with the area you must put it back the way it was.

TG3 LOOK ! LISTEN ! LIVE ! Remember the 3.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 15, 2005 11:14 PM
How many of you guys griping about the cost of gas had your elected representatives vote against offshore drilling and drilling on the North Slope of Alaska?

We get more than half our oil from OPEC countries. We could reduce this dependence, but the environmentalists won't let us.

Added to this is the fact that the oil companies have to produce a half-dozen different types of gasoline to conform to the laws of the various states for their emission control. This also cuts down on production and drives the price up.

We could do a lot about this, but, due to the above, we can't.

Good luck. It's only $2.54 here in hillbilly heaven.

Old Timer
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 15, 2005 11:41 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by owlsroost

ban the sale of gas-guzzling SUV's or force them to be fitted with more fuel-efficient diesel engines instead.
Tony


No! spare the hummers!!! Not the hummers! [:D][;)]

Me love large, expensive SUVs! [8)][|)]
  • Member since
    July 2005
  • From: Bath, England, UK
  • 712 posts
Posted by Tulyar15 on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 2:06 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Old Timer

How many of you guys griping about the cost of gas had your elected representatives vote against offshore drilling and drilling on the North Slope of Alaska?

We get more than half our oil from OPEC countries. We could reduce this dependence, but the environmentalists won't let us.

Old Timer


Rubbish! If you Americans went over to more environmentally friendly fuels you'd reduce your dependence on OPEC and help save the planet. WIn-Win! As the guy from LA said, all it needs is to either adopt new technology or change life-style eg reduce dependance on car by more homeworking for instance.
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Atlanta
  • 11,971 posts
Posted by oltmannd on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 6:51 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Tulyar15

QUOTE: Originally posted by Old Timer

How many of you guys griping about the cost of gas had your elected representatives vote against offshore drilling and drilling on the North Slope of Alaska?

We get more than half our oil from OPEC countries. We could reduce this dependence, but the environmentalists won't let us.

Old Timer


Rubbish! If you Americans went over to more environmentally friendly fuels you'd reduce your dependence on OPEC and help save the planet. WIn-Win! As the guy from LA said, all it needs is to either adopt new technology or change life-style eg reduce dependance on car by more homeworking for instance.


I tend to agree with you, but it really isn't an "either/or" proposition. Increased domestic supply and decreased demand are not mutually exclusive.

FWIT there isn't enough oil in ANWR to make any kind of meaningful dent in the imported oil.

The way you accompli***he change is by taxing crude oil. It will artificially raise the price (you could arrange the tax to stabilize the price, too) making funding of alternatives, like coal liquification, possible as well as start those changes in lifestyle that would reduce consumption. (telecommuting, live closer to work, walkable communities, bike/cart/pedestrian paths, more and better transit, more fuel efficient vehicles, etc.)

The tax collected could be funnelled into R&D for alternatives and capital for alternaitve energy sources.

The trick is to do it in a way that doesn't cause the economy to tank in the process.

Anybody remember Ross Perot's $0.50/ gal gas tax idea? If we'd have have phased it in over the past decade and used it to reduce dependence on imported energy, maybe we wouldn't be in such a tough spot today.

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Harrisburg PA / Dover AFB DE
  • 1,482 posts
Posted by adrianspeeder on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 7:15 AM
It was three bucks a gallon in philly last winter for 94 octane which my 92 5.0HO likes.

Do I like payin it? No, but it is my choice to drive trucks that get 13-15MPG. I just cut back on my out of control soda drinking and I am actually ahead on money. I get a little giggle while filling and a small car comes up, pays, fills, gets change, gos to leave, and I'm still filling. Sometimes the person will walk over and bug out when I start to come to triple digits on a fill up.

Some people show off with fancy eating, fancy clothes, fancy house, fancy whatever... but you could say I show off at the pump. hahahah

Adrianspeeder

USAF TSgt C-17 Aircraft Maintenance Flying Crew Chief & Flightline Avionics Craftsman

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 10:49 AM
Lotus98....."The recession Clinton caused"....! Talk about someone smoking.....The responsibility has long ago passed along to the present adminstration for the economy....Are you sure Jimmy Carter didn't help too....I would rather not bring these kinds of politics into it and won't any farther but just had to voice a bit of opinion on that....I believe his {Clinton's}, decade did mighty fine for the economy. Of course we're loosing {good}, high paying heavy industry jobs, along with many appliance manufactures moving out and the list goes on...and the figures showing new jobs gained contain many, many low paying replacement jobs that no one could make a decent living with them.....Some of that can be blamed on both political parties.

Quentin

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Southern Region now, UK
  • 820 posts
Posted by Hugh Jampton on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 11:21 AM
and nearly 5 bucks a gallon here.
Generally a lurker by nature

Be Alert
The world needs more lerts.

It's the 3rd rail that makes the difference.
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Rockton, IL
  • 4,821 posts
Posted by jeaton on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 11:31 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Mark_W._Hemphill

$3.00 a gallon! Heck, it's only 8 cents a gallon here.


Must be some monopoly style transportation rates to get the stuff from there to here.

"We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo Possum "We have met the anemone... and he is Russ." Bucky Katt "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future." Niels Bohr, Nobel laureate in physics

  • Member since
    March 2001
  • From: New York City
  • 805 posts
Posted by eastside on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 1:10 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Mark_W._Hemphill

$3.00 a gallon! Heck, it's only 8 cents a gallon here.
So I've heard. The price is heavily subsidized by their government. As a result, Iraq, which has the second largest oil reserves in the Mideast, has to import a large part of its gasoline because they don't have the refinery capacity. It also makes a huge dent in the government's budget, making it that much harder to deliver other needed services. This creates other distortions. It's so cheap, that there's a thriving industry smuggling the gasoline back out of Iraq to neighboring countries, netting the smugglers huge profits. I remember at one time the Soviet government similarly subsidized bread. It was so cheap, that farmers found it more economical to feed their livestock bread rather than grain because it was cheaper.
  • Member since
    March 2001
  • From: New York City
  • 805 posts
Posted by eastside on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 1:14 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mark_W._Hemphill

$3.00 a gallon! Heck, it's only 8 cents a gallon here.


Must be some monopoly style transportation rates to get the stuff from there to here.
No. The price is so low because it's subsidized by the Iraqi government. The low price is almost considered an entitlement. The shipping industry is cutthroat competitive not a monopoly.
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 3:25 PM
.....And Uncle Sam's tax billions are being spent to rehabiliate the whole of Iraq or at least trying to...! And they have 8 cent gas.....we have almost 3.00 gas....??

Quentin

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 3:33 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

.....And Uncle Sam's tax billions are being spent to rehabiliate the whole of Iraq or at least trying to...! And they have 8 cent gas.....we have almost 3.00 gas....??


Makes a person hang their head and ask why they don't jack it to reality, and take some of the $$ we are using over there and find some alternatives. Politics, and I thought a rabid dog was scary...

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy