Railfanning With High Gas Prices -- SMART START--What it is and what it does.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the link.

[Anonymous]

I read today in Discover mag. that a study from the 1998 International Conference for Technology Assessment determined if no energy subsidies were in place, gasoline at that time would have been priced in the $15 per gallon range at the pump.

If this assessment is reasonably true, then I guess complaining about today's prices is of little merit. If these incentives didn't exist, we'd be living in a different world. Maybe rail would be living high on the hog.

[Modelcar]

...I watched the President's speech yesterday regarding his several plans in an attempt to get gasoline prices under control or soften them a bit....and requested help from several areas, etc....I then noted no more than 2 hrs. later here in our big town of Muncie, the price at several locations RAISED 15 cents plus....Maybe our local oil Co's didn't get the word....

[Anonymous]

Gee! Thanks for the LINK! It rocks.

Although it only shows a few cents differents in my area.

Im sorry that other thread went badly, I thought maybe just mabye we can work it properly without the trouble. But oh well.

Be safe out there.

[Anonymous]

Here is a link to to previous thread, which was locked. It was locked because a few forum member began talking wreckless politics. Please keep political comments to yourself in this thread.

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13781

Notice that the original thread was started in March of 2004 with gas prices at that time being $1.69 for regular unleaded. We are now currently about $1.30 over the price from just 2 years ago.

If you read that thread you will see where the $3.00 a gallon was predicted long before last summer. You will also read that the oil companies have already (back in 2004) set a target for $5.00 a gallon. I don't think we will see 5 buck a gallon gas this summer, however, I can see it going well above the current 3 bucks a gallon maybe all the way to $4.00.

The previous thread also discussed how the oil prices affected railroads. We also discussed alternative fuel methods.

We as a country need to do something NOW to begin to lessen our dependence on foreign oil We import 2/3 of the oil we consume.

[K. P. Harrier]

The link doesn't show the places I usually patronize.

[spbed]

Actually hopefully u all are aware that our gas price is still quite cheap when compared with other countries? In the UK they pay $6.00 per gallon. Also if you say gas prices are up $0.70 per gallon from last year that means if you drive say 40 miles per day to commute or 200 miles per week & your car averages 22MPG you are using 9 gallons per week & paying $6.30 per week more then you paid last year for the same gasoline. If you compute that to a yearly amount that is like only $300.00 more per year for you gas from last year. Now if you factor in the trickle down effect that will be coming then naturally that yearly increase will spike a bit.

[blhanel]

I rode my bicycle to work this morning in order to avoid filling the empty tank on one of our two vehicles. Probably shed a pound or two in the process. I need to do that more often, especially if I ever want to challenge Carl on the yearly bicycle mileage total.[:D]

[Bergie]

Are we still in a railroading forum? I've yet to see anything in this thread that deals with railroading or the activity of railfanning.

The reason I mention this is because this too will most likely lead down the road of political discussion.

Bergie

[csmith9474]

QUOTE: Originally posted by spbed

Actually hopefully u all are aware that our gas price is still quite cheap when compared with other countries? In the UK they pay $6.00 per gallon. Also if you say gas prices are up $0.70 per gallon from last year that means if you drive say 40 miles per day to commute or 200 miles per week & your car averages 22MPG you are using 9 gallons per week & paying $6.30 per week more then you paid last year for the same gasoline. If you compute that to a yearly amount that is like only $300.00 more per year for you gas from last year. Now if you factor in the trickle down effect that will be coming then naturally that yearly increase will spike a bit.

The prices in the UK are so high because of the taxation, not prices set by the "oil companies".

As far as the effect on railfanning for me, I have taken to strapping on the Camel Back and walking along one of the trails in Colorado Springs that parallel the UP/BNSF joint line. I guess it is a healthier way to persue the hobby anyhow.

[BurlingtonJohn]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bergie

Are we still in a railroading forum? I've yet to see anything in this thread that deals with railroading or the activity of railfanning.

The reason I mention this is because this too will most likely lead down the road of political discussion.

Bergie

I had hoped to make several major railfan related road trips this summer from northeast Missouri ... one to Colorado (Caboose Hobbies & the Colorado RR Museum), one to Texas (Age of Steam RR Musem in Dallas and to photograph certain CB&Q/FW&D steam locomotives) and the other to northern Minnesota, following the former CB&Q main from Illinois to the Twin Cities.

Unless prices come down significantly, I will stick close to home.

Regards,
Burlington John

[wallyworld]

Bergie
The link between being a railfan and the cost of gasoline is very real to me as I have had to cancel both trips to IRM as well as a planned visit to Pennsylvania to Strasburg, The National Toy Train Museum and the RR Museum of Pennsylvania. I see no evidence of overtly political content here.Respectfully I dont think its a realistic worldview to place an imaginary division point between the cost of oil and being a railfan and then imply there is no linkage between the two. Whether it is recognized or not, the cost of gasoline does impact my activities and consequently those museums, hotels, tourist lines that depend on my discretionary spending and ability to get where I am going. I think that, looking on the amount of posts, is a big issue to your readers as well as users of this forum. I hope you reconsider your views on this.

[csmith9474]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BurlingtonJohn

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bergie

Are we still in a railroading forum? I've yet to see anything in this thread that deals with railroading or the activity of railfanning.

The reason I mention this is because this too will most likely lead down the road of political discussion.

Bergie

I had hoped to make several major railfan related road trips this summer from northeast Missouri ... one to Colorado (Caboose Hobbies & the Colorado RR Museum), one to Texas (Age of Steam RR Musem in Dallas and to photograph certain CB&Q/FW&D steam locomotives) and the other to northern Minnesota, following the former CB&Q main from Illinois to the Twin Cities.

Unless prices come down significantly, I will stick close to home.

Regards,
Burlington John


Until

Heck, Caboose Hobbies and the Colorado Railroad Museum are only about an hour away from me, but I now have take gas into consideration.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wallyworld

Bergie
The link between being a railfan and the cost of gasoline is very real to me as I have had to cancel both trips to IRM as well as a planned visit to Pennsylvania to Strasburg, The National Toy Train Museum and the RR Museum of Pennsylvania. I see no evidence of overtly political content here.Respectfully I dont think its a realistic worldview to place an imaginary division point between the cost of oil and being a railfan and then imply there is no linkage between the two. Whether it is recognized or not, the cost of gasoline does impact my activities and consequently those museums, hotels, tourist lines that depend on my discretionary spending and ability to get where I am going. I think that, looking on the amount of posts, is a big issue to your readers as well as users of this forum. I hope you reconsider your views on this.

The locked thread was very valid until the last few pages when a few members started into the political area. If you actaully read the previous thread then you will agree.

Remember there were 4 or 5 other "gas" thread during the last year but none of them addressed railroading or the price of diesel and how it effected the railroads, my previous thread did that and more. The current price of oil does affect the railroads as fuel and labor costs are the two biggest costs the railroad faces. It basically effects everything in this country and many other countries around the world.

I have stated that the price of gas does effect my railfanning. I know it does some others too. If any one thing good does come of it, I hope it is the increase of passengers for Amtrak and VIA.

Because of my lack of vacation days this year I can not take an Amtrak trip. However, I do hope to do so in 2007. The last reports I have seen do indicate an increase in overall Amtrak ridership. I would imagine this in part is due to the current price of oil.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bergie

Are we still in a railroading forum? I've yet to see anything in this thread that deals with railroading or the activity of railfanning.

The reason I mention this is because this too will most likely lead down the road of political discussion.

Bergie

If it does so then please get rid of the post and the poster and not the thread. Please, please, please. It is generally the same people who inject politics into such a thread.

[wallyworld]

jhhtrainsplains,

I too am considering that perhaps an Amtrak trip is is my future travel plans. When I began to seriously think about this trip, it dawned on me that the price of oil will eventually increase the cost of a ticket. I think the earlier we book it the cheaper the trip will be.

[germanium]

It is a simple fact that the amount of oil on the planet is limited, therefore ways have to be found to circumvent this. There seems to be a belated recognition of this in some quarters, hence the growth of interest in light rail/rapid transit systems. How do we accomodate those on limited incomes who are hurt by this ???? This pertinent comment I feel sums it up -

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes
The current prices are hurting many people, some of which are having to choose between food and gasoline, or medicine and gasoline.

This is something that politicians collectively have to resolve, without pushing any particular agenda. Hopefully this might mean an increase in rail traffic and railways, lots of lovely railfanning, drool, drool !!!!!
Steam making a comeback ????

[vsmith]

Some thoughts and personal observations on high gas prices...

Reposted from another forum:

Just an aside, last night on the local news, featured a story of Europeans visiting the US and laughing at all the whining about high gas prices, to them these prices are downright cheap in comparison. So much so that one of the interviewies was driving Route 66, complete with big American muscle car, and grinning that it only cost him $300 in gas so far. I think the biggest problem is that we've ignored our dependency on oil for so long that we now are having to face the dilema of that dependancy.

When asked what Americans can do to about these high gas prices, one interviewie summed it up nicely, "buy smaller cars"

To me this is the crux of the problem, we are spoiled absolutely rotten when it comes to our cars. I grew up in the 70's when all cars were smaller, and the then typical SUV was the now "small" Jeep Cherokee. We all drove smaller cars, I drove a V-dub for close to 10 years, a Civic after that and a Samurai for 10 years after that, guess what, I got by fine. My current truck (Frontier Crew) is the biggest thing I've ever owned, and I'm seriously considering trading it in for something more affordable. I like my truck but at 20 mpg and a $50 fill up, maybe its time for ME to make a positive change and get a PT cruiser or a Scion Xb. I can still carry most of the stuff I currently use the truck for, get better milage, and save some $.

To me, these high prices are a combination of a jittery world oil market thanks to the middle east situation, a limited refining capacity, and increased world demand for this limited supply. Now the one constant in this that will not go away no matter how much we cry is the last one, India and China are using more oil with each year, and that is not going away. Maybe we can build more refineries, yeah, they'll be up and running in 10 YEARS! I doubt more than one or two would be built becasue why would the oil companies spend any money to make their bottom line smaller? Its in their own best interests to keep a strangle hold on supply and keep their profit margins in the very black for as long as they can. So they dig up Anwar, so what?, thats 3-5 years away even if they started tommorow, and it would STILL be stuck in the refining bottleneck and prices would STILL be high due to the increasing world demand of a still limited supply of refined product. Most comment I've heard is that, yes. oil prices are high, but so is supply of crude. Its the other jittery stuff keeping prices way up there, not crude avalabilty.

There are options out there. Dont like putting $100 in gas in that Hummer H2 every week, well you were stupid enough to buy it in the first place, so trade it in (You'll still get a few bucks for it, dealers are giving minimum Bluebook for them (which is nothing) out here) and buy something smaller (and more reliable). In the market for a new vehicle? Dont buy a Toyota Tundra, buy a Tacoma. Dont buy that Ford Exploder, buy the Ford Escape. Get the idea?

Want ultra high milage? Prius, Civic, Scion Xa, Focus, Aveo.

Want cool + milage? PT Cruiser, HHR, Scion Xb.

Need a crewcab pickup truck? Frontier, Tacoma, Colorado, Durango

All get at least 20mph hwy or better. To me, theres no real excuse for most of the big giant trucks and SUVs out there (dont tell me about your boat/horse trailer/camper/job requirements yadayada--I said "most"), all could be easily downsized to a smaller more efficient vehicle with no real loss of comfort or performance. Its all getting over this stupid notion of entitlement, that somehow its our god-given right ot drive giant cars and pay nothing for gas, no it isnt, wake up and smell the coffee!

I FULLY expect to be paying $4 a gallon before this summers end. And will be doing so again next summer, and get used to it, the cheap gas fueled days of wine and roses are a long GONER! Whining about it will do this: Zip, Nada, Nil, Nyet, Nuthin'. So the sooner we all accept that and make changes on our own, the less painfull it will be for all of us.

My point is that if you knowingly buy a car that gets crappy milage, dont whine about it. Like me and my truck, I knew it was a gas-hog when I bought it, and we've had high prices in the past so its not like you were'nt forewarned that gas prices could go thru the roof again. Difference this time, is that they won't come down much again.

Now as to effect on railfanning:

Alot of us are going to have to stratigize our outings. I for one always try to combine outings. If I'm going to one of my favorite sites, I'll try to do any chores or stops (OHS, Sav-on, Home Despot) I can along the way, and while I'm watching or waiting, I don't sit with the engine idleing anymore. If I'm going to somewhere and can sneak in some trainspotting along the way I'll do that also. I'm also seriously considering trading in my truck for a more fuel efficient vehicle, a PT Cruiser or a Scion Xb, both would allow me to carry all the stuff I currently move around in my truck while still giving me a greater savings in gas cost. Its up to us to make things work for ourselves, waiting for the world change in your favor will get you nowhere. So I'll make the changes I can that work for me. I dont plan on stopping what I enjoy doing just because gas prices go up and down, but I can make descisions that will benifit me.

PS Note there are no intentional Political comments, blame, fingerpointing, or flaming, in any of the above commentary, j ust viewpoints on the real world things affecting our daily lives, and how we are the masters of our own destinies, and some small things we can do ourselves to deal with these real world affects of the world we live..[:D]

Welcome to the 21st Century Boys and Girls! Not what we expected is it?[;)]

[blhanel]

Amen, Brother Vic!

Our (wife and I) main vehicle is a Dodge Grand Caravan mini-van- gets 24 MPG on the highway and can haul our daughter's furniture, including her single bed, to and from college. I think it's safe to say at this point that we will never own an SUV, or even a pick-up. When we want to run around in style and don't have to worry about a large payload, we take our other vehicle- a Pontiac Bonneville SSEI. It gets even better mileage, up around 26 MPG on the road, but has more muscle than I will ever need (supercharged).

Even with those vehicles and their better-than-average mileage, we're still struggling to keep fuel expenses down. I'm seriously considering doing all my local railfanning this summer from the seat of my bicycle. It might take me an extra 30 min. to an hour to get to and from the action, but my pocketbook as well as my health will most certainly benefit.

[germanium]

Brian - As a matter of idle curiosity, what taxes are levied on your vehicles ? In Great Britain we have fuel duty, Road tax (which is supposed to pay for highway maintenance), and of course the obligatory insurance.

Dennis Franklin.

[signmasters24]

I love fanning in my Ford Ranger but it's a 4X4 and even with a 3.0L engine it's not great on gas, so I end up driving our old Dodge Carvan 3.3L. Our trip to Rochelle and a few yards in Chicago this weekend we spent $130.00 for gas(not kidding), the point is we had a great time and we would do it again, but next time we might have to take our Carrvan or walk (ha ha). Lucky we had 3 free nights at Red Roof Inn so that saved us, we took our owen food and drinks and didn't have to buy flim, you got to love digital. I did buy a lock gas cap. I like to hear any ideas to help save gas rail fanning. I keep my truck tuned, tires about 1 1/2 pound over unless I'm on a long trip or its hot. don't carry any extra weight, start out slow keep my speed down and turn off my truck as soon as I can. I still can't get my wife to push (yet). Stay safe, have fun, rail fan rule!

[edblysard]

Own a 2005 Dodge Magnum, Hemi 5.7 MDE(multiply displacement engine)
Get on average normal highway (to and from work) 27 to 29 MPG.
On extended trips over 200 miles, I have gotten 32 MPG at a constant 70 mph, with the A/C.
In town driving, averages 17 to 21 mpg, depending on how much I hot rod it.
Entire car is computer controlled, doesn’t even have a throttle cable, as are all the LX platform cars from Dodge, the Magnum, Charger and the 300...and if we are lucky, the Challenger next year!
Point to this?
Well, if Dodge of all companies can make a 4400 lb station wagon haul butt like this thing, then turn around and get better gas mileage than most small cars...why not apply the same concept to OTR trucks, or...hey, how about trains?
I know, I know...but think about it...first, they don’t really spend all their time in run 8, and at idle, they are dragging all the pistons around for no real reason...all you want to do is keep the batteries charged and the train line charged...so why not shut off the cylinders you don’t really need, when you don’t need them?
Dodge does it the easy way...they lock the lifters in the closed position, shut off the injectors to 4 of the 8 cylinders when the demand on the engine falls into certain parameters...then rotates the four shut downs amongst all the cylinders to keep piston and ring wear even...and you never even notice it happening.

Just got my car back from the body shop(long, frustrating story there) and while they had it there, I had them check the soft wear and install the newer package...tweaks the stereo system some, adjust the proportioning on the front to rear brake ratio, shift points on the tranny changed, fun stuff....and I ask my man to download the event recorder.
Yup, they got those too, but it only keeps the last 10 seconds, then loops thru and starts over, unless you tell it not to.
Which he did...we went on a little run with him in the passenger seat with his laptop.
Found a surprising thing...this car spends almost as much time running on 4 cylinders as it does running on 8.
Also found that the car shifted gears over 100 times in under three minutes at 60 mph...it would measure the data from all the sensors, and "choose" a gear that gave the best mileage.
Along with adjusting the injectors almost constantly....

So, if Dodge can fit all this technology into a box about the size of my wife’s purse, what is stopping GE or EMD from applying the same concept to a diesel locomotive engine?
Granted, locomotives for the most part have no transmission, but that is by design, not necessarily an absolute.
You could gear a diesel to an alternator to keep the alternator spinning at the required speed, while easing back on the diesel, it just hasn’t been necessary up till now.
And you can shut off cylinders not needed in a diesel.
I know, diesels are most efficient when running at a high, constant speed, but again, that is a design choice, not an absolute there, either...it has just always been easier that way, and there was no need to do it differently.

What I am driving at is this...we have pretty much reached the end of squeaking any more useable HP out of today’s existing locomotive technology, short of making them bigger just because we can, there is no where else to go with it.
Unless someone invents a cheap superconductor magnet and wiring system for locomotive alternators and DC traction motors, we have reached the pinnacle of this fixed design.

I am betting we will see more MDE technology in automobiles within the next two or three years...Dodge already wised up and put the MDE 5.7 in its most popular pick up, and I got a feeling if GM and Ford survive as a auto makers, they will have something close to it in a year...I was expecting Nissan and Mazda to introduce theirs at the Auto Show, but they are still in the R&D step...

So, as a nod to Bergie's not so subtle nudge about trains, lets debate the chances of something like this technology being applied to current locomotive designs...or future ones for that matter.
Anyone know if something like this was ever tried before?
Adjustable, or on demand injectors?
Ed

[blhanel]

QUOTE: Originally posted by germanium

Brian - As a matter of idle curiosity, what taxes are levied on your vehicles ? In Great Britain we have fuel duty, Road tax (which is supposed to pay for highway maintenance), and of course the obligatory insurance.

Dennis Franklin.

It's no different than what we have over here, I think, other than maybe the percentages- but then I'm not an expert. I'm sure there are other members who pay greater attention to the details of how much the government gets out of our passion for independent personal transportation.

[Anonymous]

My next vehicle will most likely be a Hybird. I would like something along the lines of a small to medium sized truck. I hope in the next year or two they have some good choices along those lines.

That way, I could actually railfan some if I kept my foot out of it. [:o)]

[Anonymous]

Gas Hog tax (more of a flat rate fee per vehicle with a bigger than you need motor), Sales taxes are about it in addition to all the license, title and doc. fees.

As to Ed's post...I could never understand why more vehicles aren't made like his. Back when the new Chevy HD's were first coming out in '01 the new big block motor was rumored to have technology similar to that...all 8 when you needed it, only 4 when you didn't but it never came around. It's nice having the power when you do need it, but when you're out cruising down the highway in the more than often flat lands I'd appreciate a little more mileage.

If gas does go much higher I'm considering trading my truck off for a diesel pickup. 15-20 mpg as opposed to the 8-11 I get now makes a little more sense. Plus its fairly easy to tweak your diesel for more power and still get the same if not better mileage. And if worse comes to worse, I can use the farm fuel to avoid paying the taxes on the fuel. [;)]

[Anonymous]

Just for the record, our current prices range from $2.83 or regular unleaded to $3.03 for premium unleaded. I am actually very surprised the price has remained such for about a week now.

It has not gone up. It has not gone down.

[Anonymous]

$2.89er and holding in these parts, has been for a bit over a week now.

[spbed]

Around $2.95 in SE Florida[:(]

QUOTE: Originally posted by farmer03

$2.89er and holding in these parts, has been for a bit over a week now.

[solzrules]

This may be met with a few sarcastic responses, but I think the price will drop considerably now. ($.20-$.30) There has been a lot of speculation the last couple of weeks, and none of the nay-saying is coming true (Iran, Iraq, and so on). It isn't just the price of oil that has risen, but the price of all commodities. These prices can't be maintained, they are irrational and will eventually have to be brought in check. And, once the price drops below $2.60 a gallon, all of these fake politicians from both parties clammoring for 'investigaitons' and so on will disappear. Until the next time the price goes up. Every time gas goes up certain people claim price fixing and excess profits are to blame. Then the price goes down and silence reigns supreme. They may be right, they may not be, but I wi***hey would actually follow through and investigate it once so they can get it out of their system.

[solzrules]

Oh, and yes it sucks to rail fan with high gas prices. You have to get a vehicle with a nice big engine to chase trains around here and that isn't too good for the wallet. [:D]

[Anonymous]

There was an article today in the local paper about Exxon's current profits. They were not a record but close to it.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by solzrules

This may be met with a few sarcastic responses, but I think the price will drop considerably now. ($.20-$.30) There has been a lot of speculation the last couple of weeks, and none of the nay-saying is coming true (Iran, Iraq, and so on). It isn't just the price of oil that has risen, but the price of all commodities. These prices can't be maintained, they are irrational and will eventually have to be brought in check. And, once the price drops below $2.60 a gallon, all of these fake politicians from both parties clammoring for 'investigaitons' and so on will disappear. Until the next time the price goes up. Every time gas goes up certain people claim price fixing and excess profits are to blame. Then the price goes down and silence reigns supreme. They may be right, they may not be, but I wi***hey would actually follow through and investigate it once so they can get it out of their system.

I was going to say it in an earlier post, but I thought I had better not. Unfortunately it's true how it's workin out. Almost as if we're being 'tested' to see how much we'll really tolerate.

[vsmith]

Seen this AM, regular $3.43
Cheapest payed, yesterday $3.21

[Anonymous]

Railfanning and the High price of gas is pointless.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

Seen this AM, regular $3.43
Cheapest payed, yesterday $3.21

Heck I remember when we could pay just 43 cents a gallon. [;)] [8D]

When it hit $1 a gallon we all thought it was nonsense then. I would gladly pay a buck a gallon now.

Did I hear someone say, "Those were the days?" [:)]

[Modelcar]

....Let me relate a comparison: My family built and opened an Esso Station back in 1938 and it was located over in western Pennsylvania. I remember a promotional sign indicating 6 GAL FOR 1.00....!! That's about 16.6 cents a gal. Of couse taxes were minimal then which is a big difference.
Item: We now have a 2nd super Wal-Mart store here in Muncie.....and the new one has a gas staion....Now, we're seeing a new pricing attitude in the city. Being familiar with a Wal-mart located station in the Mt. Dora area of Florida I know they are VERY competitive in pricing and it's happening here now...! We have been noted for having the highest prices around the area most of the time and now with the "incentive" of the new W M station I'm seeing a different pricing structure over much of Muncie. Yesterday I noted several locaions with $2.67 per gal....{That's cheap...??}, so we've seen the new "kid" in town effect pricing here.....

[kolechovski]

Well, at 2.99 a gallon here, my railfanning is over. It sucks, because NS is reconstructing a route around here, and there's a lot of work action I could be seeing.

[chad thomas]

$3.94 9/10 at the Silverwood store. Yea boy. Did 500 miles worth of railfanning this weekend and it cost $70. Lowest price I saw was $3.20 in Hesperia.

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

....Let me relate a comparison: My family built and opened an Esso Station back in 1938 and it was located over in western Pennsylvania. I remember a promotional sign indicating 6 GAL FOR 1.00....!! That's about 16.6 cents a gal. Of couse taxes were minimal then which is a big difference.

In 1938, $10 a week was considered good money! So 10% of your paycheck going to a tank of gas was still a big slice of the pie, of course in L.A. in 1938 you could still take the PE everywhere so who needed a car.[;)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

$3.94 9/10 at the Silverwood store. Yea boy. Did 500 miles worth of railfanning this weekend and it cost $70. Lowest price I saw was $3.20 in Hesperia.

***, you are one dedicated dude. lol

Price went down here to $2.85. Yay

[chad thomas]

QUOTE: Originally posted by farmer03

QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

$3.94 9/10 at the Silverwood store. Yea boy. Did 500 miles worth of railfanning this weekend and it cost $70. Lowest price I saw was $3.20 in Hesperia.

***, you are one dedicated dude. lol

Price went down here to $2.85. Yay

It's a tough job but somebody has to do it.[:D]

[Modelcar]

vsmith....Yes, I know 1938 was totally different conditions compared to now. We were still in the clutches of the great depression and work was still scarce. But I remember that was a good price for a customer at the time.
That new business did manage to make a go of it and then in a few years the Pennsylvania Turnpike {first 160 miles}, became a reality and removed a lot of through traffic from Rt. 30 where the station was situated. Of course then WWII reared it's ugly head and it was mothballed for the duration and opened again in 1946. Business operated for 45 years before it was sold out of the family.
A painting exists of it in the Westmoreland Arts Museum in Greensburg,Pa. that was done while it was closed for the war duration....

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

QUOTE: Originally posted by farmer03

QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

$3.94 9/10 at the Silverwood store. Yea boy. Did 500 miles worth of railfanning this weekend and it cost $70. Lowest price I saw was $3.20 in Hesperia.

***, you are one dedicated dude. lol

Price went down here to $2.85. Yay

It's a tough job but somebody has to do it.[:D]

It's a good thing you quit smoking a while back. Now you can use that money you saved by not buying a pack of smokes and buy A gallon of gas. lol [B)]

[Anonymous]

The noon news carried an article today about a man in California who was converting vintage Benzs into vegetable oil burning cars. [:0] The conversion cost about $700 but he stated that you could buy vegetable oil in bulk for about $2.00 to $2.50 a gallon. He also was selling some of the vintage Benzs and aother guy said he paid about $6,000 for one of them.

This is exactly what we need going on. People trying out new things and bring them to market. Of course only if they actually work.

Diesel itself gets about 30% greater milage than gas and diesel sales are rising. The benefit of vegetable oil over diesel is no pollution, or so they say.

[vsmith]

....also the exhaust smells like French Fries!

[Anonymous]

Makes me laugh seeing our friends over the pond rant about high Petrol/ Diesel prices - design your cities better around the transport of the proles chaps. Petrol hs broken through the £1/litre here which equates to about $6 a UK gallon.

And rising......

[chad thomas]

QUOTE: Originally posted by farmer03

QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

QUOTE: Originally posted by farmer03

QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

$3.94 9/10 at the Silverwood store. Yea boy. Did 500 miles worth of railfanning this weekend and it cost $70. Lowest price I saw was $3.20 in Hesperia.

***, you are one dedicated dude. lol

Price went down here to $2.85. Yay

It's a tough job but somebody has to do it.[:D]

It's a good thing you quit smoking a while back. Now you can use that money you saved by not buying a pack of smokes and buy A gallon of gas. lol [B)]

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cogload

Makes me laugh seeing our friends over the pond rant about high Petrol/ Diesel prices - design your cities better around the transport of the proles chaps. Petrol hs broken through the £1/litre here which equates to about $6 a UK gallon.

And rising......

It's higher priced over there because you call it "Petrol". [:p]

[Anonymous]

Today it was $2.879 at one of the Stations but that's okay because I ride my Bike Railfanning.

[Modelcar]

That UK price includes many sevices we don't get here when we purchase "Petrol"....We pay plenty of taxes but not near what you folks across the pond do. No wonder you're Go-Jo is so high.....

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith



....also the exhaust smells like French Fries!

FUNNY [:D] [:D] [:D]

They actually pointed that out too. [:o)] [;)] [:p]

[Anonymous]

Prices are again nearing $75 a barrel. [:(!] [:(] [:(!]

U.S. pump prices are rising, with U.S. drivers now paying about 14 percent more to fill their tanks than a year ago. We all remember last year's $3 a gallon, so with that in mind and knowing we are now 14% above last year any one want to predict when we hit $4 a gallon? [?]

[Anonymous]

Its expensive whatever. To fill up my knackered motor (1.6) costs about 40 quid now. At the weekend I am having to driver from Cog country to Mid Wales and back to pick up a few bits of furniture and knock up a few inheritance points as one set of parents are doing the sensible thing and emigrating.

That will cost around £100-£120 in juice. Makes the 60odd quid train ticket look reasonable in comparison doesn't it?

[Anonymous]

Yesterday while I was out I noticed our Kroger (here some of our Kroger Grocery Stores also have gas stations our in front of the grocery stores) gas station had finally raised it premium unleaded price to over $3 a gallon. They are usually one of the lowest priced stations in the area. But with that raise it puts them ahead of many of the area gas stations. Also if you have a Kroger card and buy over $100 a month of groceries then you get a discount (10 cents a gallon) on your gas.

[Anonymous]

I find for once I am one lucky dog in terms of railfanning, at least at this phase of my life. I live along the Cumberland Mountain area where the CSX runs from Nashville towards Alabama, and has to cross through the Cumberland tunnel pusher district. It's all single track through my part of Tennessee, and passing tracks galore......active pushers on literally every train going over the mountain through the tunnel....and constant traffic. All I have to do is sit in any of a couple chosen locations within 10 miles of my house, and the action goes right past me.

Regards! Michaelson[:D]

[chad thomas]

In the last two days gas here in Chula Vista went from $3.25 to $3.40 a gallon.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

In the last two days gas here in Chula Vista went from $3.25 to $3.40 a gallon.

We have not had a big rise in the last few days or so, therefore one must be coming. [:(]

It would not surprise me if gas hit $4 a gallon by Labor day. [;)]

[Anonymous]

Funny thing is going on lately. The price of oil continues to go up and down. However, our prices have stayed about the same for a period of time now. This is not making sense. When the price of oil goes up the gas stations almost immediately raise their prices. But when the price of oil drops our gas prices stay about the same. Has anyone else noticed this lately? [?]

[blhanel]

It's been dropping here- we're down to $2.659 a gallon.

I think sometimes the retailers will slow-roll a price drop so that they can get some of the profit, at least for a little while.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Funny thing is going on lately. The price of oil continues to go up and down. However, our prices have stayed about the same for a period of time now. This is not making sense. When the price of oil goes up the gas stations almost immediately raise their prices. But when the price of oil drops our gas prices stay about the same. Has anyone else noticed this lately? [?]

Yep - same this side of the pond too. They put the price up at the first sniff of a rise in the price of crude, when it drops it takes a good few weeks for the pump price to follow suit. They're making a tidy sum from that little wheeze!

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

In the last two days gas here in Chula Vista went from $3.25 to $3.40 a gallon.

We have not had a big rise in the last few days or so, therefore one must be coming. [:(]

It would not surprise me if gas hit $4 a gallon by Labor day. [;)]

I was thinking more likely by a $4 peak right before July 4th, then a drop back down to 3.50ish for the rest of the summer then another more prolonged $4 spike from Sept 1 till they change back to "winter" formula in Oct.[V]

Hey ya know those $350million dollar retirement packeges dont grow on trees, someones got to pay for them.[:(!]

Time to consider trading in the truck before it gets too many miles on it![:0]

[Anonymous]

One of the latest gas station ideas is a fuel bank. [:0]

You choose a grade of gasoline and lock it that price for "x" number of dollars or gallons. It is pay in advance and you get a gasoline "card" for that station. When you purchase your gas you swip your card and the amount is deducted from your account.

[Anonymous]

I have now seen several tv news articles on the fuel banks. Both the national news and the local news has carried stories on it. I don't know of any in my area. Anyone know of any operating near them? [?]


And gas is going down according to recent articles. I am not sure where tho, it sure has not gone down here more than a cent or two, if that. [:(]

[Anonymous]

I had to have a tired fixed about a week ago and while in the waiting room picked up a magazine to read. One of the stories I read was about Canada and its attemps to get oil from way up north. The same article also told of the US looking to obtain oil from oil sands or shale. I am not sure now which magazine I even picked up.

So much for the lower prices that were predicted. Oil has been going up again.

[Anonymous]

Get Your Hummer Now Or Else [:o)]

GM announced Friday that the 2006 model year will be the last of the H1 Hummers. The very last H1 is expected to be built in June.

The H1 was getting only 10 miles to the gallon but GM stated the gas milage was not the cause of the H1's demise. They stated the people who bought the H1s were not concerned about gas prices. A current model of the H1 (H1 Alpha) sells for $130,000 to $140,000.

Getting this monster off the road is a step in the right direction. However, I doubt that too many soccer moms will be effected by it. [:o)]

[eastside]

QUOTE: Originally posted by blhanel

It's been dropping here- we're down to $2.659 a gallon.

The cheapest gasoline I ever bought was in Clinton, IA in '69 -- 25 cents a gallon. (That's $1.36 in current prices.) Even back then that was startlingly cheap and memorable because I had a 427 'Vette to fill. Back home in Illinois it was about 45 cents/gal.

[Anonymous]

Yesterday I noticed that gas has come down a few cents around my area. Mind you it is ONLY a few cents. Regular unleaded is currently $2.75 while premium unleaded is $2.95.

[blhanel]

That's funny, we're currently headed the other way around here. Up to $2.799 a gallon, IIRC.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Yesterday I noticed that gas has come down a few cents around my area. Mind you it is ONLY a few cents. Regular unleaded is currently $2.75 while premium unleaded is $2.95.

We just dropped another [2c] . Our regular unleaded is now $2.73 a gallon. And what is amazing is we are approaching the first of our so-called Summer Holiday.

[Anonymous]

I noticed recently that our regular unleaded price is down into the mid $2.60s. It depends upon where you buy your gas but $2.65 to $2.69 (for regular unleaded) is getting common locally.

It is nice that the price has lowered some because the UP 844 drew many people to see it on its latest trip. I even chased it a little. [^]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

I noticed recently that our regular unleaded price is down into the mid $2.60s. It depends upon where you buy your gas but $2.65 to $2.69 (for regular unleaded) is getting common locally.

It is nice that the price has lowered some because the UP 844 drew many people to see it on its latest trip. I even chased it a little. [^]

Things are going about the same again. Funny though how a rumor can make it go up in price over night by it takes days or even weeks to come down in price.

[railfanespee4449]

You know what rocks?
1-I can BIKE to the tracks any time I want!
2-I live 2.5 miles from a buy double-track UP mainline
3- IT'S SUMMER BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

I was just reading a new article about the future of gas prices in the United States. Here are a few items from that article:

* The government says gas prices may fall soon

* But before you ru***o buy a gas guzzler, be aware they also forecast the price will hit $2.76 a gallon this summer – a new record for the period of time

* That’s 14 cents more than the April forecast, currenly prices are up 76 cents from the same time a year ago

* Gasoline prices will average $2.76 a gallon for the coming summer driving season

* That's up 39 cents from 2005's summer and a nickel higher than the Energy Information Administration forecast a month ago.

* Prices currently exceed $3 a gallon in 10 different states

[railfanespee4449]

Old thread=[|)][B)][V][:(!][banghead][banghead][|(][soapbox][soapbox][soapbox][#offtopic][2c][banghead][%-)][soapbox][soapbox][soapbox][soapbox][soapbox][soapbox][soapbox][soapbox][soapbox][soapbox][soapbox][soapbox][soapbox][soapbox][soapbox][#offtopic][:-^][zzz] in that order

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by railfanespee4449


Old thread

2 months = old LOL LOL LOL


You might want to remove a few of your "smileys" or at least leave a blank between some of them please. That is what makes the page drawn out and hard to read. Thanks.

[coborn35]

QUOTE: Originally posted by railfanespee4449
(His Smilie post. I took them all out to make room)

Just a little off topic......

[Anonymous]

Off Topic? No sir!

The price of oil/gas has a big impact upon my ability to go railfanning. It does on many people. Unfortunately as the price goes up people must choose between other things as well, such as gas or food, or gas or medicine.

The railroads themselves are effected by the price of gas/oil too. The two largest expenses of a railroad are gas/oil and labor costs. Maybe that is why our COLA this time is nothing but a joke. Only we are not laughing.

[coborn35]

No ***, I meant his post about OUR topic being off topic.....if that makes sense. In either case, Im agreeing with you.

[Anonymous]

Thanks George

I expect the price of oil/gas to resume its upward trend any time now. All it takes is a rumor and it shoots up overnight. [:(!]

[Anonymous]

Our gas prices are again on the way up. They are currently $2.79 to $2.99 a gallon. The premium grade of unlead is just under $3.00 a gallong so the roller coaster is going back up.

Here is part of a news article I was just reading.


If the United States is going to end its addiction to oil, the fuel station of the future might look like Pearson Ford Fuel Depot.

Along with gasoline and diesel, the one-of-a-kind station - part of a dealership near busy Interstate 15 - offers a full range of clean-burning alternative fuels from ethanol to propane to BioWillie, a brand of biodiesel made from soybeans and promoted by country music legend Willie Nelson.

The station isn't profitable yet. But co-owner Mike Lewis said that could change if oil prices force consumers to seriously consider other fuels - especially in San Diego, which regularly pays among the nation's highest gas prices.

There are pumps labeled "E85" and "compressed natural gas" along with recharging stations for people with electric cars.

[Anonymous]

Here is some info about companies who are developing ethanol.

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/jun2006/nf20060612_5577_db016.htm?campaign_id=search


Currently ethanol is not reducing the price or demand for gas/oil. Some articles I have read said it is actually jacking the price up some. [:0]

I hope to post some more info on ethanol in the next few days that will give us more info about it.

[Anonymous]

Some current gas prices from around the world. Prices are for regular and in US dollars.

Caracus . . . . . . $0.12

Kuwait . . . . . . . . $0.78

Mexico . . . . . . . . $2.25

China . . . . . . . . . $2.40

South Africa . . . . . $3.70

Australia . . . . . . . $3.70

Japan . . . . . . . . . $4.93

Germany . . . . . . . .$6.10

Italy . . . . . . . . . . . $6.15

Belgium . . . . . . . . $6.33

Hong Kong . . . . . . $6.54

Norway . . . . . . . . . $6.99

[Modelcar]

Update on our gas prices: Last week I purchased fuel for 2.58....and now today, for 41 cents more I can purchase it....Yes, today it's 2.99. Supply and demand....Bunk...!! Greed and manipulation is more like it. Most likely getting us all ready for the big 4th holiday time.

[Simon Reed]

I've been intrigued by this this thread for some time.

No politics - I have certain views that I won't impose upon you but just have a little look at what is going on in Caracus, Venezuela. Thank you to the politically literate who have spotted a certain connection.

The price of diesel does'nt seem to factor into this thread. I realise that you American chaps don't tend to go for diesel autos. Could anyone explain why, out of curiosity?

I drive a diesel auto here in the UK which cruises happily at about 85MPH, and does 500 miles on a full tank. I own an ALCo S1 which is based about 160 miles from my home and can make the round trip on just over half a tank.

My eyes water when I read what is considered to be acceptable fuel consumption in earlier posts....

[Modelcar]

.....I really don't see a very wide advantage to owning a diesel automobile compared to a good 3 L gasoline engined powered one....Cost of maintenance is higher and more often....Price of the diesel fuel is really not an advantage now.....rank smelling exaust from diesel vehicles....to park in the garage....Some problems with starting and operating under severe winter temps.....I understand a diesel produces more work from a gal of fuel than does a gasoline engined vehicle but the advantage is very narrow here now....Just some thoughts. And recently I drove my 3 L V-6 gasoline engine automoble 420 miles before refueling....and the tank was not empty at that point. Gauge was indicating about 1/4 remaining in the 18.5 cap. tank.

[Anonymous]

If we could only harness the hot air expended on the site?

Not to mention the methane we could recover from all the BS!

Just a general observation.

Simcox

[Murphy Siding]

Originally posted by Simon Reed

The price of diesel does'nt seem to factor into this thread. I realise that you American chaps don't tend to go for diesel autos. Could anyone explain why, out of curiosity?

Simon: Diesels don't really like colder weather. In the northern climes,we have blended fuel.#2 #1 diesel, to keep from jellying

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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