BaltACDPersonally, I use Rain-X. I rarely have wipers on in the rain - if you are moving at anywhere near normal traffic speeds the water flies off the windshield in mini-micro drop form. Best thing is when overtaking a 18 wheeler and their 'blinding spray' - with Rain-X you can see right through it.
You like it that well huh? I had a friend who recommended it to me, but it sounded too good to be true.
I was used car shopping at the time, came across a sweet deal on a van that the windshield wipers didn't work, and he told me to just use Rain-X....that he personally hardly ever had to use the wipers...and it just sounded too far fetched to believe.
Convicted One BaltACD Personally, I use Rain-X. I rarely have wipers on in the rain - if you are moving at anywhere near normal traffic speeds the water flies off the windshield in mini-micro drop form. Best thing is when overtaking a 18 wheeler and their 'blinding spray' - with Rain-X you can see right through it. You like it that well huh? I had a friend who recommended it to me, but it sounded too good to be true. I was used car shopping at the time, came across a sweet deal on a van that the windshield wipers didn't work, and he told me to just use Rain-X....that he personally hardly ever had to use the wipers...and it just sounded too far fetched to believe.
BaltACD Personally, I use Rain-X. I rarely have wipers on in the rain - if you are moving at anywhere near normal traffic speeds the water flies off the windshield in mini-micro drop form. Best thing is when overtaking a 18 wheeler and their 'blinding spray' - with Rain-X you can see right through it.
Believe it! The biggest issue is when it is foggy/misty and you are moving at low speeds - not generating enough air speed over the windshield to move the water, you may have to use the wipers on 'intermittent'.
Using wipers, over time, will 'wear away' the Rain-X coating. I renew Rain-X about every 3 months. Clean the windshield well - XXX-Steel Wool the stubborn bug carcases. Apply the Rain-X with a paper towel that had been well moistened with Rain-X - apply generously and allow to dry - it will be streaky, smeary and hazy. Moisten a clean paper towel and polish the windshield to the point of it drying. Done!
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
BaltACDUsing wipers, over time, will 'wear away' the Rain-X coating. I renew Rain-X about every 3 months. Clean the windshield well - XXX-Steel Wool the stubborn bug carcases. Apply the Rain-X with a paper towel that had been well moistened with Rain-X - apply generously and allow to dry - it will be streaky, smeary and hazy. Moisten a clean paper towel and polish the windshield to the point of it drying. Done!
Feed back is much appreciated..... Thanks! How does scraping ice/frost affect the coating? Should one just natually expect to renew the coating each spring?
Convicted One BaltACD Using wipers, over time, will 'wear away' the Rain-X coating. I renew Rain-X about every 3 months. Clean the windshield well - XXX-Steel Wool the stubborn bug carcases. Apply the Rain-X with a paper towel that had been well moistened with Rain-X - apply generously and allow to dry - it will be streaky, smeary and hazy. Moisten a clean paper towel and polish the windshield to the point of it drying. Done! Feed back is much appreciated..... Thanks! How does scraping ice/frost affect the coating? Should one just natually expect to renew the coating each spring?
BaltACD Using wipers, over time, will 'wear away' the Rain-X coating. I renew Rain-X about every 3 months. Clean the windshield well - XXX-Steel Wool the stubborn bug carcases. Apply the Rain-X with a paper towel that had been well moistened with Rain-X - apply generously and allow to dry - it will be streaky, smeary and hazy. Moisten a clean paper towel and polish the windshield to the point of it drying. Done!
I try to 'snow bird' Winter as much as possible. Using the wipers over frost or ice - no matter how your windshield is coated will damage their wiping surface of the wipers. I try to put on new wipers after the snow season - for those in the South, the sun can 'kill' the rubber in the wiper blades during the Summer.
Rain-X doesn't really help dealing with salt spray - salt ends up being a kind of abrasive to the existance of any coatings on the outside of the windshield - fortunately windshield glass is harder than salt and doesn't get scratched or damaged from salt spray alone, however, if you are in a state that uses cinders in addition to salt - all bets are off.
As I said, I generally apply it every three months.
I can't see a midwest Autotrain or passenger service or a combination becoming reality. CSX and NS is going to squeal congestion and that'll be the end of that idea. Back when Amtrak's Autotrain was marginally profitable as mentioned elsewhere, there was talk of a midwest (ie Chicago) towards the west on the BNSF Southwest Chief route, I don't think the idea got off the ground account of equipment needs. But sure I saw something on this at one time.
BaltACD There's plenty of people here driving in rainy, dismal weather without the headlights on. And some think because they have automatic daytime running lights they're covered. Uh-uh. Your daytime running headlights might be on but that doesn't mean your tail lights are! Drives me crazy...
There's plenty of people here driving in rainy, dismal weather without the headlights on. And some think because they have automatic daytime running lights they're covered. Uh-uh. Your daytime running headlights might be on but that doesn't mean your tail lights are!
Drives me crazy...
I finally solved these problems by keeping a dark cloth that I can place over the light sensor. Dark to prevent sun and light reflections. Solves the insurance cost reduction benefit as well.
blue streak 1 BaltACD There's plenty of people here driving in rainy, dismal weather without the headlights on. And some think because they have automatic daytime running lights they're covered. Uh-uh. Your daytime running headlights might be on but that doesn't mean your tail lights are! Drives me crazy... I finally solved these problems by keeping a dark cloth that I can place over the light sensor. Dark to prevent sun and light reflections. Solves the insurance cost reduction benefit as well.
The problem with Headlights on in daylight conditions - it dims the dash lights as is necessary to prevent blinding the driver with them in the dark of night - when they are dimmed in daylight they are barely visible.
BaltACDThe problem with Headlights on in daylight conditions - it dims the dash lights as is necessary to prevent blinding the driver with them in the dark of night - when they are dimmed in daylight they are barely visible.
With the electronic dashboards is that much of an issue anymore? I know it isn't in either of my trucks (the one being almost 15 years old). And you can always adjust the brightness of the dash to daytime levels.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
zugmann BaltACD The problem with Headlights on in daylight conditions - it dims the dash lights as is necessary to prevent blinding the driver with them in the dark of night - when they are dimmed in daylight they are barely visible. With the electronic dashboards is that much of an issue anymore? I know it isn't in either of my trucks (the one being almost 15 years old). And you can always adjust the brightness of the dash to daytime levels.
BaltACD The problem with Headlights on in daylight conditions - it dims the dash lights as is necessary to prevent blinding the driver with them in the dark of night - when they are dimmed in daylight they are barely visible.
My Ram has a electronic dash - I have it turned up to it's brightest setting - when the headlights kick on in daylight the dash is barely readable.
The down side - when I try to take a power nap and its dark - if I try to have the radio on - the dash lights are too bright, even when I have them turned all the way down and there is no way I have found to turn them off outside of not having the radio on.
BaltACDMy Ram has a electronic dash - I have it turned up to it's brightest setting - when the headlights kick on in daylight the dash is barely readable.
Can't manually turn it to daylight mode? That's weird. My chevy was able to do that. But you couldn't separate the brightness between the gauges in front of you to the center console. Way too much light in the center section at night. Wish more manufacturers would have picked up the SAAB night mode.
Although your dodge has the button to turn off the center screen? That's nice. Wish my Fords had that.
How people can drive those Teslas with that gigantic I-screen thing in the middle is beyond me. Then again, I like my locomotves with analog gauges any day.
I recently got a new car with a video arcade dash. It's constantly telling me all kinds of things I'm not interested in. Recently, on my way home, I turned a corner and bumped something on the steering wheel (It's cluttered with a bunch of buttons and levers.), and it started beeping. I couldn't figure out what it wanted, so when I got home I sat in the driveway trying to figure out what to do. I finally just turned the engine off.
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"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
Paul of Covington I recently got a new car with a video arcade dash. It's constantly telling me all kinds of things I'm not interested in. Recently, on my way home, I turned a corner and bumped something on the steering wheel (It's cluttered with a bunch of buttons and levers.), and it started beeping. I couldn't figure out what it wanted, so when I got home I sat in the driveway trying to figure out what to do. I finally just turned the engine off.
Too many Millenials designing car dashes and controls - they think everyone wants to play video games.
Lmao why are we talking about cars on a train forum? Nothing in this post is even about the auto train
One of the only railfans who gives a crap about the MMA, despite not living IN the northeast.
Paul of CovingtonRecently, on my way home, I turned a corner and bumped something on the steering wheel (It's cluttered with a bunch of buttons and levers.), and it started beeping. I couldn't figure out what it wanted, so when I got home I sat in the driveway trying to figure out what to do.
This is ironic. I suspect you turned on voice command, and the car was prompting you to tell it what to do. But you didn't say anything (except under your breath), did you? Next time, tell it to shut up, and it probably will...
I hate it when phones and cars are smarter than I am.
JOHN L CLARK I can't see a midwest Autotrain or passenger service or a combination becoming reality. CSX and NS is going to squeal congestion and that'll be the end of that idea. Back when Amtrak's Autotrain was marginally profitable as mentioned elsewhere, there was talk of a midwest (ie Chicago) towards the west on the BNSF Southwest Chief route, I don't think the idea got off the ground account of equipment needs. But sure I saw something on this at one time.
The discussion listed several reasons why Amtrak didn't have more auto trains: 1) Amtrak didn't have equipment and no money to buy equipment. 2) It would be difficult to get the railroads to agree to a new route. 3) Any new train would have to make money. 4) Only the Northeast to Florida has enough snowbirds to make it viable. 5) Autoracks on the rear of present Amtrak trains can't exceed 70 mph, thus slowing train speed. 6) Other reasons.
What Amtrak marketing had in mind was attaching autoracks to the Southwest Chief and going from Chicago to Flagstaff Arizona. This would be good for the snowbirds going to Phoenix, for the Grand Canyon, for Vegas, and a good start on California. Apparently only #6, other reasons, were problems with which Amtrak marketing was concerned. The schedule of the Chief was a little late, (presently 8:32 PM), causing the people, after they got their cars, to look for a hotel, a commodity that Flagstaff had few. The return schedule from Flagstaff was also poor, (presently at 4:09 AM). The schedule at Chicago was fine, but a determination of where to load and unload autoracks was necessary and this would probably be Joliet, due to nearness to various interstate highways.
https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/why-only-one-auto-train-exists-in-usa.17659/page-3
Paul of Covington I hate it when phones and cars are smarter than I am.
And people wonder why I tell them "When I buy cars, I buy Model T's."
Figuratively speaking, mind you.
And Thamas, you're kind of "new to the fold" so let me explain it to you. Threads tend to go in whatever direction the commenters take them. As long as everyone's having fun, there's no harm done. Besides, you never know what you'll learn, do you? I've learned plenty, trust me!
ThamasTehTrainLmao why are we talking about cars on a train forum? Nothing in this post is even about the auto train
All things considered - one long cat conveys the idea.
Jim200"auto train west"
Nice story but I don't believe it.
Also, I might add to the list of facts on this thread. CSX was left holding the financial bag with the first Auto-Train bankruptcy even though it demanded payment in advance towards the end......it was still a creditor in the bankruptcy and the CEO of CSX went on record as saying that was it as far as his company was concerned they would have nothing more to do with any more passenger train experiments. So I am sure if you dug you can still find those comments online somewhere. Also sure it played a role in Amtrak decision making.
In regards to extending out West I am by no means a marketing guru but you can see via Auto-Train Corporation plans they thought that 15-17 hours running time was the sweet spot as far as their concept. If you can find a train that gets to Flagstaff in 15-17 hours, I think you would be swamped with regular people that wanted to ride it without the automobile. So I tend to think that whole story was BS.
So I would regulate the Auto-Train Southwest story as either Amtrak shop talk or marketing stupidity if they actually discussed it in detail in the company because they missed one of the basic formula inputs to the Auto-Train concept........relatively short running time spent on the train.
It is true that 15-17 hours is a sweet spot for a stand alone auto train, since you get 7 hours or so to unload and load the automobiles and send the train back in one day. Thus you get efficient use of equipment and only two trainsets are needed for daily operation. However, for a SW Chief auto train which only goes once a week, all you need is the 7 hours or so to unload and reload autoracks at Flagstaff, and catch the next SW Chief going east. It could leave Chicago on Thursday, arrive in Flagstaff on Friday, leave on Saturday and arrive back in Chicago on Sunday. It is not very efficient and the departure time on Saturday is horrible.
This could easily be shop talk, and one day the boss said check out the feasibility or not of an auto train going to Arizona. Here is what Larry Vollten, the operations supervisor for the Auto Train, said to the Chicago Tribune in 2010.
"The fascinating thing about this crowd is that we did a feasibility study in Chicago and it found there is the same clientele in Chicago as there is in the Northeast United States," Vollten said.
"The folks in Chicago go to Phoenix to winter over. So they were talking about the probability of putting an Auto Train on from Chicago to Phoenix and back, probably linking it up with one of our other western trains that already exist," Vollten said.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/travel/ct-xpm-2010-04-18-ct-met-getting-around-0419-20100418-story.html
CSSHEGEWISCHI always thought that you gave up your legroom when you flew in coach.
Thats one secret I am not willing to discuss publicly in a public forum. I'll say this, if you never ask the airline you will never know. Most that fly Southwest and other airlines have a follow the herd mentality and never ask. :)
Jim200"The folks in Chicago go to Phoenix to winter over. So they were talking about the probability of putting an Auto Train on from Chicago to Phoenix and back, probably linking it up with one of our other western trains that already exist," Vollten said.
In my view Chicago to Phoenix is a long time to ask a first time train travaler to sit on a train and think it is better than driving. I wasn't thinking just about equipment utilization but about someone being impatient to get there.
I could see Chicago to Denver working and possibly Chicago to Dallas (dropping intermediate stops would speed both routes up end to end) You could easily do Chicago to Dallas by dropping the 45 min in St. Louis and probably a good part of the schedule padding from the Milk Run Texas Eagle schedule. Have not looked at time Chicago to Denver would consume.
Chicago to Phoenix or even Flagstaff would seem like asking a lot for someone to sit on a train that long.
Maybe do that trip in two legs? Chicago to Denver and then Denver to Phoenix with an intermediate stop in the middle? I don't know.
Two issues there why it would never happen with Amtrak. #1 Amtrak never had the money. #2 Amtrak is way to risk averse to attempt an experiment like that with Long Distance.....it would mean several Amtrak managers sticking their heads out on the line and accepting responsibility if the route failed and you just do not seem to have that culture in Amtrak. Amtrak management only seems to want to take on projects where it is obvious to the brain dead they would make money. Such as the original Auto-Train route, The Denver Ski-Train, hevaily subsidized with state money new corridor routes, etc. Rarely will you see Amtrak put it's own money on the line and take a risk with a new train entirely or even majority on it's own. It is part of the reason we are where we are today with Long Distance segment that has not evolved that much since the 1950's. The biggest change Amtrak financed on it's own to the LD segment was the 800 toll free reservation number. I think they did that because they were tired of all those carbon copy tickets and trying to interpret 1500 different versions of penmenship on the carbon based tickets.
In the US, the main market for an auto-train is snowbirds, i.e., older, retired people staying at their warmer destination for a month or more in winter, where the distance driving is far (two overnights). CHI-DEN is not that nor is CHI-DAL.
Midwest to Orlando could work only if the track were improved to allow better time.
charlie hebdoCHI-DEN is not that nor is CHI-DAL.
Actually, Texas usually ranks right behind Arizona for retirees from the Midwest.
Retirees usually look at warm weather, no state income tax, low cost of living, medical facilities (can't beat Baylor Health), among other things Texas is high on the list for all of the above. I am just 6-8 hour drive away from a Miami Florida Climate of South Texas.....here in Dallas.
Dallas right now has more Midwesterners than true Texans. You don't hear the Texas drawl anymore in Dallas. You can thank large Texas firms that had a large presence in the Midwest like EDS, Kimberly-Clark, for that.
Denver has a high popularity for winter skiing in the Midwest which Amtrak never examined I am sure with the Auto Train potential routes. They seemed to figure out it will support their Ski Train in the Winter though........which they advertise Nationwide for.
Permanently relocated retirees to South TX are not snowbirds. Nor are relocated non-retirees to the Metroplex. Nor are skiers, generally <45. Midwestern retired snowbirds might spend some time in the Rockies, but usually only a few weeks so they either drive or rent. Very different markets. Snowbirds from the Midwest and Toronto still tend to head to the Gulf coast of FL.
charlie hebdoPermanently relocated retirees to South TX are not snowbirds.
Ehhh, better check your stats on that. A lot of them are snowbirds from Canada and the Midwest with a second house, they are NOT permanently located here. In fact, all you really need to do was Google at the houses for rent in the hot Texas Summer, when they are not down here or you could Google Snowbirds.
In regards to Florida, your mistaken there as well. A growing chunk of the Snowbirds are from Canada and increasingly from the United Kingdom / Europe. In Florida itself the NE folks tend to settle on the East Coast where the prices are steep. Midwestern folks tend to settle on the West Coast where the prices are more comparable to the Midwest. I used to spend some time in South Florida. West coast of Florida is attractive to some in European countries as well because the property is relatively cheap for the climate.
Arkansas is also fairly popular for second homes for people that live in Texas as well as the Midwest because again they are cheap homes. Branson is just a subset of a larger area in Arkansas that retiree's from the North use.
CMStPnPIn regards to Florida, your mistaken there as well. A growing chunk of the Snowbirds are from Canada and increasingly from the United Kingdom / Europe. In Florida itself the NE folks tend to settle on the East Coast where the prices are steep. Midwestern folks tend to settle on the West Coast where the prices are more comparable to the Midwest. I used to spend some time in South Florida. West coast of Florida is attractive to some in European countries as well because the property is relatively cheap for the climate.
Mistaken? You are saying the same thing I said: "Snowbirds from the Midwest and Toronto still tend to head to the Gulf Coast of FL." Europeans have been heading to the Gulf Coast (that is the west coast of FL) for more than 30 years, expecially Germans. Former Chancellor Schmidt was a regular visotor to St. Pete's Beach, for example.
Top 15 Snowbird Cities [7/15 are FL; one in TX]
The MI plates outnumbered the GA plates on I-285 heading north on the westside this weekend. GA needs that Left Lane camper law!!
rdamonThe MI plates outnumbered the GA plates on I-285 heading north on the westside this weekend. GA needs that Left Lane camper law!!
Just got a new 'sticker' for my Maryland tags - actually read some of the verbage they put on these things. One of the paragraphs stated that vehicles MUST have a manufacturers stated top speed at least 5 MPH higher than the roadways it operates on. ie. Vehicles on Maryland Interstates must have a top speed of AT LEAST 75 MPH with the MD limit being 70.
I haven't had to rent a U-Haul truck in over 30 years (thankfully), at that time they were govenor limited to 55 MPH. Don't think that would fly in today's highway world.
CMStPnPDenver has a high popularity for winter skiing in the Midwest which Amtrak never examined I am sure with the Auto Train potential routes. They seemed to figure out it will support their Ski Train in the Winter though........which they advertise Nationwide for.
I go out west (from Michigan) for a ski week every winter, generally to Colorado. I would love an auto-train CHI-DEN. I hate to rent cars nowdays since they became so expensive, sometimes more than the airline ticket. The problem is that ski weeks usually run Saturday to Saturday, so the route would be a once-a-week round-trip. Also, the local Ski-Train is a weekend thing.
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