quote:Originally posted by Mike Smith: The next time I fly, I will "Opt Out" and will request the best looking woman there to do my "pat-down". I'll complain mightily about a man patting me down and will question his sexuality....
I wonder if I'll make my flight...
Don't ask, don't tell?
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted at another topic by Dakguy201: Service to Iowa City may be in trouble as well. Iowa's incoming Governor announced yesterday he wants to review the project in some detail before he proceeds with it. However, unlike Wisconsin it was not an issue in the campaign.
According to friends residing in Iowa and active within the IARP, Gov-Elect Branstad (a "Grover Cleveland' of Iowa Governors) is at best "neutral" rail, but could well "lean" anti-rail.
Posts: 10952 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
Is there any realistic chance that anyplace in the United States that does not see regular passenger train service today will see it by 2012?
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
If security theater gets worse, I selfishly fear that more and more fliers will take LD trains instead, making Amtrak happier but possibly crowding out us happy-go-lucky rail buffs.
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'd rather have everybody on the flight subject to a full-body scan, rather than having one person "opt out" and be the next "underwear bomber" who will kill me and my family when he blows up our next flight somewhere -- do you really think the "underwear bomber" would consent to a full body scan? Get with it, folks -- we are adults, and the full-body scans have a purpose, even though sure, the scan may be uncomfortable for some. If you read about the full-body scans, they don't "see everything" -- they see gray-tone shadows, and the gun or bomb or whatever will show up as some white or other false-color image. Thank the underwear bomber for the necessity of this........
Now, if we were to implement a nationwide gun control law, a nationwide ban on handguns (like Japan does, I believe), that would certainly be a good place to start, but don't get me started on that!..........
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged |
Being a conservative, I completely agreed with you up until recently. It just seems ridiculously out of control now. Those new TSA body-scan machines show people nude, even though it's in black and white. There are plenty of pictures out there on the web that shows what it looks like, but in doing a very brief Google search, here is one example:
You can see the man's "unit" and "family jewels" quite clearly. You can see similar details on women. I have yet to run into a TSA employee who seems mature and professional----to me, they all seem to fall into one of two categories: 1) English-as-a-second language folks who got hired to meet a Federal quota, or 2) Kids who are working a real job for the first time in their lives. I don't want those people seeing my "unit", and I certainly don't want them looking at nude 14 year old boys and nude 12 year old girls. That is my problem with this, along with the immature TSA agents yelling "OPT OUT!!" so that hundreds of passengers suddenly have their attention focused on YOU as if you're an idiot or something. There's gotta be a better way.
And the only problem with a gun control ban, of course, is that the bad guys will be the only people who are armed (except for the government). That's why Americans have the right to bear arms, because an unarmed public automatically gives more power to the government as well as more power to the bad guys. That's why stronger gun legislation is a joke. I worked in law enforcement, and have plenty of experience in dealing with illegal weapons. The new laws do not effect the bad guys carrying guns----they still have them no matter what. The newer/stronger laws only make it more difficult for law abiding citizens to buy a gun----simple as that.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ohio Gov-Elect Kasisch (R) has no need for HSR or for that matter any speed passenger rail. However, he wants to keep the $400M awarded under ARRA '09 for highway construction projects.
Somebody is taking orders from rather high up in the conservative movement; it just seems as if it is hardly coincidental that all these GOP Gov-Elects suddenly and in unison are saying "take your bux and shove it".
Posts: 10952 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'd take the liberal media's reporting with a grain of salt. Kasich seemed to know that going into Bosnia and Kosovo to fight Germany's war was wrong, that's for sure. On matters such as the WTO and international trade agreements (especially permanent MFN status for Red China), Kasich is on the left side of the equation. (More from OnTheIssues.org...might be out of date, but Kasich is left-leaning insofar as stuff like day care, line-item veto [which is executive legislation], throwing money at schools, and a number of other issues.)
As for the ARRA money, if NJ Transit has to give back money for the canceled ARC project, he's going to have to pay that money back too.
Posts: 889 | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Smitty -- you're one of those "the constitution says we have a right to bear arms, so it's OK" guys, eh? Welllllllllll -- the constitution also at one time made it legal for rich white men to own black slaves. Does that make that right? The constitution also at one time said women could not and should not vote -- does that make that right? So why should something written 200+ years about the "right to bear arms" (while we were still aggresively fighting against England) still be "right" today?
That's all I am going to say -- let's get back to trains..........
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by RRRICH: Smitty -- you're one of those "the constitution says we have a right to bear arms, so it's OK" guys, eh? Welllllllllll -- the constitution also at one time made it legal for rich white men to own black slaves. Does that make that right? The constitution also at one time said women could not and should not vote -- does that make that right? So why should something written 200+ years about the "right to bear arms" (while we were still aggresively fighting against England) still be "right" today?
That's all I am going to say -- let's get back to trains..........
Where did the US constitution ever explicitly affirm chattel ownership of black slaves or bans on female enfranchisement...? Never did. One might argue that about the constitutions of certain states, but not the US constitution, even in the "three-fifths" clause of Article 1 section 2 or the "migration or importation" clause of Article 1 section 9 when it comes to slavery (implied but never explicit, otherwise all states would have been slave states); and absolute silence when it comes to women's suffrage. Never mind that a right specifically enumerated in the Bill of Rights has nothing to do with the TSA's activities that I can see.
Posts: 889 | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- The City of Saint Louis (UP, 1967) is still my standard for passenger operations Posts: 1404 | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
How about when the Federal Government allocates 9 billion to build a project they state thats the amount of money you get to build it and complete it by said dayte. Not here, is 9 billion dollars dig a tunnell less then a quarter of the way and hold up the taxpayers for additional funds and a deadline of sometime of the future. Sure I made a simplistic statement but it is the out of control expendures that turned the latest election.
Posts: 516 | From: New Haven, CT USA | Registered: Feb 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
LaHood's hilarious, talking about "wast(ing) taxpayers' money"...no problems with the inflated ARC costs on the other hand.
Posts: 889 | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Interesting how the British wire service has provided more coverage of this HSR rebuke than any US source I have noted.
Now it's time for Ding Dong School. Miss Francis is sick, so a substitute is here today:
"Now Scotty and Johnny, since you both were asleep in Civics class, lets give you a little crash course in the facts of life. Remember that the United States Congress bickers long and hard about legislation, but once they all agree to same, it is presented to President Obama who if he affirms it, makes it law of the land. In this case he signed it and hence the law says that your States are to be awardsd funds for the purpose of executing projects relating to the betterment of railroad facilities so that new or higher speed passenger trains may be run. That is what the law says; that is what you will use that money for.
Maybe you have heard of 'Revenue Sharing' programs, those are nice as here you can spend the Federal money any way you like. But these particular funds are not that.
You as the soon to be Chief Executives of your states, are free to accept or decline this money; you don't even have to ask your Legislatures. But if you take it you will use it for trains. If you don't, other guys will get it.
Ding Dong; now go home and Mommy will give you each a nice cold glass of milk".
Posts: 10952 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Just posted today on YouTube......this woman was grabbed, yelled at, 12 police officers called, handcuffed to a chair, and then her airplane ticket was ripped up and thrown away:
There are always two sides to every story, and I would be very interested in hearing if there is another side. (The audio/video link relates to a problem with TSA screening).
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
GBN, I think after all the huffing and puffing, Wisconsin will take the money and get the line built, perhaps scaling back a bit to reduce on going operating costs.
In Ohio, Mr. Kasisch seems more dogmatic about it and likely that money will go back to the feds. I'm sure NC and VA will happily accept some of it. Perhaps Mr. Kasisch, though, would permit some of the money to be used in a manner similar to NC where they secured, then restored stations on the route. Then, when they can better afford getting the line going, that capital expense will have been done. Meanwhile stations could be leased for other purposes.
Of course my not so hidden agenda is to get more trains into that architectural masterpiece, Cincinnati Union Terminal (and not some new box down by the river as has been proposed).
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by smitty195: Just posted today on YouTube......this woman was grabbed, yelled at, 12 police officers called, handcuffed to a chair, and then her airplane ticket was ripped up and thrown away:
There are always two sides to every story, and I would be very interested in hearing if there is another side. (The audio/video link relates to a problem with TSA screening).
You would think she could press charges against the TSA agent for theft and destruction of her property. She owned that ticket and the TSA agent had no right to destroy it. (If that had happened to me, I'd be in jail.)
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by palmland: GBN, I think after all the huffing and puffing, Wisconsin will take the money and get the line built..........In Ohio, Mr. Kasisch seems more dogmatic about it and likely that money will go back to the feds.
A very reasonable assessment, Mr. Palmland.
As I noted before, the culture to support Milw-Madison service (some Chi-Madison as well)....liberal....core downtown....1999 Volvo....is there. Also of note, we are addressing the upgrade of 85 miles of ROW to passenger train standards (FRA Class...whatever; I was gone from the industry before all that stuff was initiated).
By contrast within Ohio, we are addressing some 300 miles of ROW that while likely could support a passenger train at present, it is a heavily used "Corridor' by CSX (crucial to the Cleveland hub route structure of Conrail) and considerable funds would have to be expended in order to increase capacity to handle the proposed passenger trains.
While I can hardly claim any expertise in understanding the culture of Central Ohio, somehow I think it different than the academic culture of Madison (OK; think of Ohio State, and what do you think - FOOTBALL). All too many trips, it would simply be more convenient to hop in the ESYOUVEE for the trip that starts in, say, Dublin and has a destination of, say, Strongsville.
Posts: 10952 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Details on FRA track classes and speed limits related to same on this page; includes signaling requirements. Apparently for 110 mph running, you need at least "Class 6" track, whose gauge limits are between 4' 8" at narrowest and 4' 9Ľ" at broadest, with maximum change of gauge within 31 feet no greater than a half-inch.
Posts: 889 | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Here is a posting from discussion at another site that enumerates the costs associated with upgrading an existing ROW that presently is "not exactly two sitcks of iron laying in the weeds and mud".
quote:I'll take a stab at that. These are some very back of the envelope figures.
Replace 116 miles of Class 4 track on existing railbed, with Class 5 track. Hey, why not go for Class 6 track? 116 miles of new rail, and 100% new precast concrete railroad ties, $1.2 million per mile = $139 million
Second track is going to be more expensive, especially if existing railbed does not exist. New track on new railbed, including earthwork, culverts, small bridges, environmental mitigation. I'll guess $2.1 million per mile = $244 million
CTC, PTC, cab signals, and new crossing gates = $40 million
One additional trainset to handle increased passenger demand = $20 million
Total without major bridges or station improvements = $443 million Top speed = 110 mph
This also does not include changes to geometry to increase curve speeds.
Although I think my railroad career exposed me to many facets of the industry, Engineering was not one of such. Be sure to note that the author uses the phrase "back of the envelope' within the posting.
Posts: 10952 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Maine went to a Republican Governor. What's his position on passenger railroad service?
Inquiring minds, since people are dreaming dreams...
-------------------- The City of Saint Louis (UP, 1967) is still my standard for passenger operations Posts: 1404 | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Less than $4 million a mile? ($443 million for 116 miles). That is a huge bargain.
Houston's toy train cost over $50 million a mile for a short 7 miles. And our drivers love to run into the train with their cars, on a weekly basis.
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by PullmanCo: Maine went to a Republican Governor. What's his position on passenger railroad service?
Gov. LePage's nickname is "LeRage." He's a Tea Party type who sees global warming as a myth, wants to teach creationism in public schools, and claims residency in Maine AND Florida to save a few bucks on tuition down here for his kids. Sounds more like a nightmare than a dream to me.
Of more concern is that the entire Maine legislature went Republican for the first time in a long while.
Better sing the "disappearin' railroad blues" if you're in the Pine Tree state.
Posts: 1610 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ocala Mike, I thought your republican senators were fairly moderate and on occasion voted with the democrats. Were they both defeated or not running?
Nothing wrong with teaching creationism in public schools - along with other religious or philosophical views.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
palmland, I'm in Florida, not Maine, but I follow Maine politics some (my late mother's home state and I have many relatives there).
Maine's two Republican senators were not up for election this year and, yes, they are "moderates." I was referring to the state house, i.e., the Maine Legislature, which is in the hands of the Republicans.
-------------------- Ocala Mike Posts: 1610 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ocala Mike, is there a reason why you are being intentionally deceptive about Gov LePage?
He is skeptical of MAN-MADE global warming, not global warming itself. And man-made global warming IS a myth. There is absolutely no proof that man has caused any amount of global warming.
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Not being deceptive, intentionally or not. The crux of palmland's concerns is whether this guy is gonna be "rail-friendly". Obviously, we have to wait and see, but I'd be inclined to doubt it. He has stated in the past that "global warming" (without the man-made modifier) is a "scam" foisted off on the world by "global government" types, a favorite right-wing talking point.
Anyway, you can read more about him here in an Augusta, ME newspaper article.
posted
I liked the comments after your article. Some people in Maine "get the scam".
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
It's a scam created by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), a purpose-concocted department of the United Nations. The only reason for the IPCC's existence is the big attempt at instituting a "Tobin Tax". Being unscientific by totally excluding the effect of water vapor on ambient temperatures, and then using carbon dioxide as their "baseline"? One may as well declare the coelacanth extinct once more even though it isn't.
Posts: 889 | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Sorry, I meant to say PullmanCo's concerns, not palmland's. In any case, the bottom line is we now know a lot more about Gov. LePage's stance on global warming but know very little about his attitudes on rail transport in his state. Stay tuned.
Posts: 1610 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Brief passage from the material submitted by Mike:
GALESBURG — Could a Spanish rail car manufacturer ditch Wisconsin and relocate its plant to Illinois?
Gov. Pat Quinn hopes so and his administration hasn’t been shy about wooing Talgo Inc. to make Illinois its new home.
The [Wisconsin HSR] debacle has triggered uncertainty about Talgo’s future in Wisconsin, sparking Illinois’ interest in getting Talgo and a bigger piece of the stimulus pie.
“We’re in the preliminary process of just introducing our state to (Talgo),” said Mike Murray, a policy adviser for the Quinn administration.
Quinn has been promoting Illinois as a place for rail manufacturers with a well-qualified labor force with “several locations throughout the state that would probably be attractive” for the company, Murray said.
Quinn’s administration “stands ready to do whatever it can to make Illinois your new Midwestern home,” the governor wrote.
Talgo spokeswoman Nora Friend told The Associated Press she was grateful that Quinn reached out. If Wisconsin doesn’t change its mind, she said, Talgo would remain in Milwaukee “no longer than spring 2012,” when the company is scheduled to deliver two sets of trains to Oregon.
Let's hope nothing comes to pass on this one; for if it does, then Illinois, if the HSR initiative is for real, would be obligated to buy this quite unsuitable equipment for Midwest service.
Posts: 10952 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
Before any advocate of passenger rail starts dreaming about what can be done with the turned back money,...
He or she had best know what the local Governor/legislature will do. It's nice to dream dreams, but if passenger rail is off the radar (or is being jammed), then that money is going to go elsewhere.
Further, the last I checked, the man at 1600 Penn is D. The Senate is D. There are still D states out there. I think the largesse will move within those D states.
Posts: 1404 | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Even though the "Obama Seat" is now in Republican hand's, the new occupant, Mark Kirk, is presently a Member of Congress (R-IL10).
A look at the linked map will show that there is plenty of Amtrak and METRA service through the District; even the 'Gerrymander Tail" seems to follow the UP Northwest Line.
When mass transit issues are on the table, party lines get blurred in the caucus.
True, Senator Kirk must be responsive to interests throughout the State, but his base remains in a mass transit conscious region.
Posts: 10952 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
You've got that right, Mr. Norman! Secretary LaHood will, I expect, direct us (I work for USDOT) to take back the money and reprogram it.
That's how things work. The governors of Ohio and Wisconsin are entirely free to give back the money. They are NOT entitled to re-program it.
Posts: 614 | From: Merchantville, NJ. USA | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
We'll be retiring to N Lower Michigan in a few years, so by 2015, I expect to see the Pere Marquette extended north as far as there are still tracks (at least Cadillac?), or an extension of the Wolverine Service from Pontiac, MI further north again, as far as there are still tracks available!
(Hah! Just kidding!! We can still dream, can't we?)
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Why limit it to available tracks? Bring back the ferry service across the Strait of Mackinac and run through service from Chicago and Detroit to the Soo, just like before WWI!
(Oh...you expect me to PAY for my flights of fancy? Uh...uh...uh, oh!)
-------------------- --------Eric H. Bowen
Stop by my website: Streamliner Schedules - Historic timetables of the great trains of the past! Posts: 413 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Furthermore, bring back the Chippewa Hiawatha from Chicago (my winter home) to Ontonagon, Michigan (my summer home) by way of Milwaukee and Green Bay.
It better be done fast, because the Escanaba & Lake Superior (owner of the old MILW line north of Green Bay) is going to abandon the rails between Sidnaw, Michigan, and Ontonagon.
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
