Why America Needs Trains

[Lirr168]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-biden/why-america-needs-trains_b_412393.html

In spite of the triteness and poor use of facts, this is worth a read.  Good to see that at least one person in government realizes how much catching up we have to do with the rest of the world's commuter railroads.

[Mister Mud]

I get what he is saying. Its good to have a VP who supports railroads.
When one works the same job day after day, they become friendly with groups of passengers who ride the same train day in and day out.
Some people work the same trains for a long time, and chat with groups of passengers after finishing collecting the tickets.
I have worked jobs where the crew has shared in the lives of some of the passengers.
Getting a baby shower gift for a regular about to have a baby.
Going to the wake of a longtime Passenger who passed away.
Giving a group of passengers a deck of cards because they forgot theirs.
Waiting for an elderly passenger to make it to the train, things like that.
Many times over the years I saw passengers decorate a coach for the retirement of the regular Conductor or Engineer.
The regular commuter trains were nice to work, especially the morning ones.
One group of Commuters used to Call me "Schultz" on one of the early morning Port wash Trains.
That was because they were all regulars, and if one of them left their wallet home and forgot their ticket, I would let them go (I see nothing).. without charging them.
Its the late night trains, and concert trains that were rough, the regular Commuters were generally nice people.

[scopelliti]

Myself and a friend used to ride into Hempstead back in 1964-1966.  Got to know the conductor "Charlie" pretty well.  We even had a birthday party for him on board one year.  BTW easily done since the lead car was always a combine and sitting up front there was no pass-through traffic.

[Lirr168]

I wish he had spent more time mentioning things like how 'green' rail travel and rail freight are.  I hate to say it, but that's the kind of rhetoric you need to get things done and I think this is something worth pursuing.  My interest in trains aside, it's hard to deny that rail travel here has a lot of catching up to do in this country.  A reliable and affordable high-speed network could create so many interesting opportunities.

[Paul]

JUST REMEMBER THIS:

[RGlueck]

Worst part is, he never picks up the tolls or shares for gasoline.
The bastard.

[Dump The Air]

Jesus rides beside me, he never buys and he smokes.

[Lirr168]

Jesus rides beside me, he never buys and he smokes.

Ain't you had enough of this stuff?

[Nova55]

Does a bear shit in the woods?

[Dump The Air]

Ain't you had enough of this stuff?

Ashtray floors, dirty clothes, and filthy jokes

[jetfan]

Ashtray floors, dirty clothes, and filthy jokes

Replacements song?

[Dump The Air]

Yup, from their last good album.