Murphy Siding wrote: The Texas Madman wrote:AAAhhhhhhhhhhh...........I can see it now, Murphsiding will come back with his juvenile comments on my statement! Actually, I'm going to turn over a new leaf, and try being nice to you. I hope you can do the same. Fair enough?
The Texas Madman wrote:AAAhhhhhhhhhhh...........I can see it now, Murphsiding will come back with his juvenile comments on my statement!
I'll be nice until you decide to attack, in fact i've always tried to be nice, but as soon as I type into something people [you Know who You ARE!] decide I'm part of the maurading horde and attempt to intimidate me. Insult me, kick me out of town, etc. Like I've stated to the may Railroaders I've known that don't feel the need to type into this board..........."the Railroad Police that threatened me in years past are all retired, and I'm still here, that aint gonna' change!"
As far as you, or anyone being nice to me...............that reamins to be seen, but if you aint gonna' be nice it's no skin off my nose!
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Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
spokyone wrote:OK Now where were we? Moving Empire to southern Montana where population centers are.
The politicians involved don't want to move the Empire Builder to the "NP" route, they would lose 10 times as many votes on the old route as they would gain on the new route.
They want a second train added on the "NP" route, but there are no cars available for such a service.
North Dakota is not going to pay for the cars, and neither will Amtrak.
If a new train is to be introduced, Montana will have to pay for it. I am not sure they could afford it, with less than a million people, and why would they pay millions for new cars when they won't pay thousands to study the new route ?
nanaimo73 wrote:The politicians involved don't want to move the Empire Builder to the "NP" route, they would lose 10 times as many votes on the old route as they would gain on the new route. They want a second train added on the "NP" route, but there are no cars available for such a service.North Dakota is not going to pay for the cars, and neither will Amtrak. If a new train is to be introduced, Montana will have to pay for it. I am not sure they could afford it, with less than a million people, and why would they pay millions for new cars when they won't pay thousands to study the new route ?
North Dakota is not going to pay for the cars, and neither will Amtrak. If a new train is to be introduced, Montana will have to pay for it. I am not sure they could afford it, with less than a million people, and why would they pay millions for new cars when they won't pay thousands to study the new route ?
And Montana has been in deficit for the past 13 years, 5 years ago they started going to both Oregon, and California to get loans just to pay their state budget!
And NO, I'm not gonna' put a URL on so you can flip to the location where this is registered, you all can either Google, or Yahoo it!
By the way Bergie - as to your comment earlier about folks here turning against me, I viewed my opinions and a few decided to reply with hate mail, then I defended my self by reflecting the same attitude back to the ones who gave so good. Then decried me for returning what was thrown my way. Bergie understand this is human nature, and I will not stand idly by and allow some one to attack me without attacking back. If you want to kick me off this board SO BE IT, AND DO IT!
BUT I ABSOLUTELY REFUSE TO BE ANYBODYS WHIPPING DOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nanaimo73 wrote: spokyone wrote:OK Now where were we? Moving Empire to southern Montana where population centers are.The politicians involved don't want to move the Empire Builder to the "NP" route, they would lose 10 times as many votes on the old route as they would gain on the new route.They want a second train added on the "NP" route, but there are no cars available for such a service.North Dakota is not going to pay for the cars, and neither will Amtrak.If a new train is to be introduced, Montana will have to pay for it. I am not sure they could afford it, with less than a million people, and why would they pay millions for new cars when they won't pay thousands to study the new route ?
I think it is time to go on vacation...to Montana!
ed
Dale,
How about this? Allow the current EB to take the occassional sidetrack down through the I-90 corridor on a semi-scheduled basis. Use these diversions as a way to test the waters regarding such service on a permanent basis.
How much hassle would it be? Is it really imperative that the EB always run the High Line?
Also, would you agree that there is no longer a need for the Spokane split since the State of Washington will soon be running 5 Amtrak trainsets per day between Seattle and Portland?
MichaelSol wrote: arbfbe wrote:I will have to say BNSF does a commendable job of keeping the Empire Builder on schedule. I agree. They keep it rolling.
arbfbe wrote:I will have to say BNSF does a commendable job of keeping the Empire Builder on schedule.
Having dispatched trains in my day (for a while), I can tell you that it is soooooooo much easier to keep your railroad fluid if you operate EVERYTHING as on time as possible. The schedules were originally made, in part, by considering the opposing traffic and preceeding traffic schedules, where meets and passes should occurr, and so forth. Also, superiority of trains by direction and class, when followed, create a smooth flowing operation.
Any disruption in the above operating method causes an exponential increase in the dispatchers workload, confusion in the field, and mistakes. Confusion and mistakes cause accidents, cause trains to be late, and in the end, cause unhappy customers.
A case in point of how important OT performance is, take a look at VerMontanan's posts siting long-distance train ridership and on time performance. Specificly, the Coast Starlight. OT performance less than 5% (On Time (almost only) southbound from Seattle north of, into, and out of Portland) and a ridership decline of nearly 11%.
And this includes the 10 Miracle Miles between Vancouver and Portland where you have 4 yards (Yard Limit rules apply, ABS without CTC overlay), 3 interlockings (ABS with CTC overlay), and both main tracks used as yard tracks in addition to 3 drawbridges, two of which have very active river traffic.
futuremodal wrote: nanaimo73 wrote: spokyone wrote:OK Now where were we? Moving Empire to southern Montana where population centers are.The politicians involved don't want to move the Empire Builder to the "NP" route, they would lose 10 times as many votes on the old route as they would gain on the new route.They want a second train added on the "NP" route, but there are no cars available for such a service.North Dakota is not going to pay for the cars, and neither will Amtrak.If a new train is to be introduced, Montana will have to pay for it. I am not sure they could afford it, with less than a million people, and why would they pay millions for new cars when they won't pay thousands to study the new route ?Dale,How about this? Allow the current EB to take the occassional sidetrack down through the I-90 corridor on a semi-scheduled basis. Use these diversions as a way to test the waters regarding such service on a permanent basis.How much hassle would it be? Is it really imperative that the EB always run the High Line?Also, would you agree that there is no longer a need for the Spokane split since the State of Washington will soon be running 5 Amtrak trainsets per day between Seattle and Portland?
FM Dave --
It is impererative that a regular train adhere to its published rout on its published times. If people don't know (or can't depend on ) where and when the train is going to be, they won't ride it. This is why you operate "demonstration" schedules for 2 or 3 years (at least) prior to any consideration of ending a service.
If you end the split at Spokane, and go either to Seattle or Portland, there will be at least a 4 hour extension to the travel time (either to Portland or Seattle). You will lose nearly all of the traffic bound for the destination that is dependant on a CASCADES schedule. That is why the split is there in the first place.
About the only way to succesfully eliminate the split would be for daily service of reinstated Trains 25 and 26 - at least through to Denver and preferably on to Kansas City to connect with the Chicago services there and to create a Portland-Spokane-Missoula train. A large percentage of the loadings at Whitefish are from the Clark Fork area.
And I am not sure that even this would work because a lot of the traffic out of Montana to the West, about 1/2 goes to Seattle and about 1/2 goes to Portland -- and there is good air service out of Missoula and Kalispell to both Seattle and Portland. The traffic required to go via the CASCADES simply would be lost.
kenneo wrote:FM Dave --It is impererative that a regular train adhere to its published rout on its published times. If people don't know (or can't depend on ) where and when the train is going to be, they won't ride it. This is why you operate "demonstration" schedules for 2 or 3 years (at least) prior to any consideration of ending a service.If you end the split at Spokane, and go either to Seattle or Portland, there will be at least a 4 hour extension to the travel time (either to Portland or Seattle). You will lose nearly all of the traffic bound for the destination that is dependant on a CASCADES schedule. That is why the split is there in the first place. About the only way to succesfully eliminate the split would be for daily service of reinstated Trains 25 and 26 - at least through to Denver and preferably on to Kansas City to connect with the Chicago services there and to create a Portland-Spokane-Missoula train. A large percentage of the loadings at Whitefish are from the Clark Fork area. And I am not sure that even this would work because a lot of the traffic out of Montana to the West, about 1/2 goes to Seattle and about 1/2 goes to Portland -- and there is good air service out of Missoula and Kalispell to both Seattle and Portland. The traffic required to go via the CASCADES simply would be lost.
Then what would be the feasability of running a link train - Missoula, Helena, Laurel, then up thru Great Falls to Shelby. Just that run back and forth, or do you forsee no real traffic to support such a run?
Murphy Siding wrote: When did MRL move to North Dakota?
Got back to this one kinda' late, looking at my fold out map I recieved September of 2006, by sending in $35.00 to Washington Rail Group - Missoula Montana - I'm seeing that MRL [indeed] operates under Trackage/Delivery Rights into Dickinson ND, Mandan ND [Bismark is across the river], and Fargo ND/Dilworth MN delivering the train to BNSF. Furthermore the accompanying info related that MRL has been operating Trackage/Delivery rights, and made continuos freight operations since 1991 on this route!
Had to add this barb Murph, I remember a person typing in on another thread saying "............a little knowledge is a dangerous thing........", seems you are now exemplifying this. You need to recheck your geography!
The guy [or gal] said[?????] he was a NS Engineer [Never can tell, olks are living their pipe dreams here.]
futuremodal wrote: Dale,How about this? Allow the current EB to take the occassional sidetrack down through the I-90 corridor on a semi-scheduled basis. Use these diversions as a way to test the waters regarding such service on a permanent basis.How much hassle would it be? Is it really imperative that the EB always run the High Line?Also, would you agree that there is no longer a need for the Spokane split since the State of Washington will soon be running 5 Amtrak trainsets per day between Seattle and Portland?
It sounds easy, but it wouldn't work.
The Hi line is great for Amtrak, the other traffic is high speed intermodal, and everything is fluid.
The Fargo-Billings line is the opposite, slow coal trains don't mix well with Amtrak, and you can't elevate the curves. If you are thinking a once-a-week detour, how do you cover the station costs ?
I also think the Spokane split should remain as it is.
As for an experiment, I would suggest a Spokane-Billings train. Would RDCs work, BC Rail ran them 463 miles from Vancouver to Prince George.
The Texas Madman wrote: Murphy Siding wrote: When did MRL move to North Dakota?Got back to this one kinda' late, looking at my fold out map I recieved September of 2006, by sending in $35.00 to Washington Rail Group - Missoula Montana - I'm seeing that MRL [indeed] operates under Trackage/Delivery Rights into Dickinson ND, Mandan ND [Bismark is across the river], and Fargo ND/Dilworth MN delivering the train to BNSF. Furthermore the accompanying info related that MRL has been operating Trackage/Delivery rights, and made continuos freight operations since 1991 on this route!The guy [or gal] said[?????] he was a NS Engineer [Never can tell, olks are living their pipe dreams here.]
OK, Texas Madman, I will call your bluff. Show 'em or fold. First off, MRL ends at Jones Jct, MT east of Billings, MT near Huntley Project, MT. What goes east of there is the BNSF. No MRL trackage delivery rights, no MRL freight trains operating beyond Laurel for that matter since 1991 or any other date. Your post is flat out wrong. Either you have misread what MRL supplied you or you are posting a falsehood.
Now as to the State of Montana running at a deficit for the last 15 years. Sorry, that is also a falsehood. Firstly, it is illegal for the state to operate without a balanced budget. The legislature could not legally pass such a budget. The Republicans have had control of both houses and the governor's office during that time. Surely you jest. Now how is MT going to "borrow" from CA or OR to cover this alleged shortfall?
Give me a break, give us all a break, either bring all your marbles to the table when you play or leave us alone.
Murphy Siding wrote: I'd have to agree with arbfbe. I don't see anything on the internet that says any MRL trains operate east of Laurel Montana, now or ever, for that matter.
The Texas Madman wrote: And NO, I'm not gonna' put a URL on so you can flip to the location where this is registered, you all can either Google, or Yahoo it!By the way Bergie - as to your comment earlier about folks here turning against me, I viewed my opinions and a few decided to reply with hate mail, then I defended my self by reflecting the same attitude back to the ones who gave so good. Then decried me for returning what was thrown my way. Bergie understand this is human nature, and I will not stand idly by and allow some one to attack me without attacking back. If you want to kick me off this board SO BE IT, AND DO IT!BUT I ABSOLUTELY REFUSE TO BE ANYBODYS WHIPPING DOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Texas, you got off on the wrong foot with a lot of our members by talking about hoboing. That topic is similar to graffiti in that it ALWAYS causes arguments. In fact, both of those topics will probably join politics and religion as discussions that aren't allowed here (since they only lead to ill-feelings).
At some point, you guys have to agree to disagree without getting into these juvenile arguments. The bickering gets old, and the tough man competition isn't held on this site. This goes for everyone, not just Texas.
Oh, one more thing; asking to be kicked off would probably get you just that from just about any other forum moderator in the world. But, just to show that I don't single people out without good cause, I'm going to let you stick around. I think you have positive contributions to make; please show I'm right.
Bergie
spokyone wrote: Murphy Siding wrote: I'd have to agree with arbfbe. I don't see anything on the internet that says any MRL trains operate east of Laurel Montana, now or ever, for that matter. http://www.montanarail.com/General/maps.htm
Write to Corporate offices and pay the required fee like I did for that info, the internet web link only shows general public info and does not include anything specific. If you don't feel that there is more involved info that a person HAS to request, or PAY $$$ for then you are another one who likes to live in the dark and react with Knee-Jerk Emotions.
Or try going to the AAR and having them send you [STILL HAVING TO PAY FOR THE ACTUAL MAP] an Interstate Freight Hualage Map, this will show you all the Railroads operating in the 48 United States, where the Railroads have Trackage/Delivery Rights on other Railroads, the frequency of trains over secific routes, and if you ask NICELY they may send you an AAR pin and an OPERATION LIFESAVER pin.
The Texas Madman wrote: spokyone wrote: Murphy Siding wrote: I'd have to agree with arbfbe. I don't see anything on the internet that says any MRL trains operate east of Laurel Montana, now or ever, for that matter. http://www.montanarail.com/General/maps.htm Write to Corporate offices and pay the required fee like I did for that info, the internet web link only shows general public info and does not include anything specific. If you don't feel that there is more involved info that a person HAS to request, or PAY $$$ for then you are another one who likes to live in the dark and react with Knee-Jerk Emotions. Or try going to the AAR and having them send you [STILL HAVING TO PAY FOR THE ACTUAL MAP] an Interstate Freight Hualage Map, this will show you all the Railroads operating in the 48 United States, where the Railroads have Trackage/Delivery Rights on other Railroads, the frequency of trains over secific routes, and if you ask NICELY they may send you an AAR pin and an OPERATION LIFESAVER pin.
Texas:What is the map called and do you know the cost?
Murphy Siding wrote:Cool. I'd like to get a copy of that map. Can you tell me what they call it, so I know I'm asking for the right thing please? Hey arbfbe-you're out in that neck of the woods, do you have one of those maps? Thanks
Well, I happened to be out at Rail Link today. I stopped by the Engineering Dept. No one ever heard of trackage rights east of Huntley. I stopped at the front desk on the way out and asked about a $35 map. No such map. The map they have is free.
I then called Milt Clark. He's now retired from Rail Link, but Alan you know how well respected he is out there. Milt said the original agreement terminated MRL just west of Laurel, but MRL managed to negotiate the lease out to Huntley so they could serve Billings. There are no MRL trackage rights east of Huntley (Jones Jct.), Montana.
I have heard of ghost towns out west...would these be ghost trains?
Got back from "Wally World" [Wal-Mart] today with the developed pictures of my vacation out west on the MRL thru Western Montana, Idaho, and Eastern Washington State. Decided to upload a few of them to megashares so freinds of mine can have a look, they may end up irritating some of the "Prideful Railroaders" on this forum. But if ya' don't wanna' look ya' don't haf'ta'!, I doubt these will appear in TRAINS, however they may appear in POLICE DIGEST!
http://d01.megashares.com/?dl01=930dc35
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Murphy Siding wrote:A heads-up to other forum members: The link seems to lead to a sort of post your own xxx pictures online sight.
You forgot the other ad at the to stating cheat at on-line poker, Still I have the web link open in a seperate window right now, and all that is the advertising that sponsors use. I think I did get the weblink wron so lemme' try it again!
http://d01.megashares.com/?d01=930dc35
Just copy and paste, I have the other site open right now and what I described in the earlier post is on the page you'll come to [unless you don't know how to copy and paste]!
Now you CAN take this earlier post from Murph and not go to the site [he seems to always expect the worst of everyone he dosen't deal with on a day-to-day basis], or you can take the plunge and look at some pretty cool pics [al-be-it HOBO PICS]
Murphy Siding wrote: The Texas Madman wrote: Murphy Siding wrote:A heads-up to other forum members: The link seems to lead to a sort of post your own xxx pictures online sight.You forgot the other ad at the to stating cheat at on-line poker, Still I have the web link open in a seperate window right now, and all that is the advertising that sponsors use. I think I did get the weblink wron so lemme' try it again! http://d01.megashares.com/?d01=930dc35Just copy and paste, I have the other site open right now and what I described in the earlier post is on the page you'll come to [unless you don't know how to copy and paste]! Now you CAN take this earlier post from Murph and not go to the site [he seems to always expect the worst of everyone he dosen't deal with on a day-to-day basis], or you can take the plunge and look at some pretty cool pics [al-be-it HOBO PICS] We'll just have to agree to disagree then. The same site comes up with this link. (It might be because they are both the same link, the way you have it typed in.)
The Texas Madman wrote: Murphy Siding wrote:A heads-up to other forum members: The link seems to lead to a sort of post your own xxx pictures online sight.You forgot the other ad at the to stating cheat at on-line poker, Still I have the web link open in a seperate window right now, and all that is the advertising that sponsors use. I think I did get the weblink wron so lemme' try it again! http://d01.megashares.com/?d01=930dc35Just copy and paste, I have the other site open right now and what I described in the earlier post is on the page you'll come to [unless you don't know how to copy and paste]! Now you CAN take this earlier post from Murph and not go to the site [he seems to always expect the worst of everyone he dosen't deal with on a day-to-day basis], or you can take the plunge and look at some pretty cool pics [al-be-it HOBO PICS]
I just cut and pasted the link into the same window I'm in right now and went directly to the website where the download is and saw the download page where I could do the download that I offer. Didi yopu bother to look over the whole page? or just at the top advertisements?
The downlad info link I got from the website was as follows;
Road Pics.rar
Download Link to Share:
I also recieved a delete link for me to be able to wipe the download in 30 day's if I wanted to, but I aint posting that!
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