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Pam
Five Star Member
Age : 42
Joined : 02 Feb 2008
Posts : 1220
Location : Nova Scotia, Canada
 |  Subject: Re: Life in the fast lane  Thu May 29, 2008 4:31 pm | |
| | zadaconnaway wrote: | Call me a romantic, but I think truckers are great! The Knights (and Ladies) of the road have come to my aid more than once. Of course, I have done some commercial driving myself (no semis) , and understand the need to give big rigs their space.
I can also understand Pam's point, and it is a somewhat valid one, worthy of consideration. What type of fuel do trains use? And what kind of emissions do planes give off?
I for one, would prefer taking a train to my destination over flying. But sometimes time constraints do not allow for that luxury. You sure get a better view of the country in a train, and you don't have to worry about other drivers, either!
Gee, maybe it's time I took a train ride--it has been a while!  |
There used to be a beautiful trip through the Rockies Zada, from Vancouver to Edmonton. I was on it as a younster once and the scenery was spellbinding to look at the scenery instead of driving past it. Happy railing!
_________________
Pam Robertson 
http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com |
|   | | Malcolm
Four Star Member
Joined : 11 Jan 2008
Posts : 526
Location : Georgia
| | Subject: Re: Life in the fast lane Thu May 29, 2008 4:46 pm | |
| | zadaconnaway wrote: | What type of fuel do trains use?
|
Locomotives are diesel electrics, most of which (in the States, anyhow) are made by General Electric and General Motors. They burn diesel fuel to generate electricity to run the electric traction motors for the wheels.
For both the moving of people and goods, it's more efficient to move a mile-long train across country than to clog the highways with the number of trucks and private cars required to move the same number of passengers and goods.
For many kinds of goods, rail can do better!! With their old fashioned ways, the railroads cannot effectively compete with trucks when, for example, a company in town A suddenly wants to move several tons of lumber 80 miles away to town B. In many instances, a truck can bo back and forth between those towns numerouns times before the railroads even get the boxcar out of the yard.
Needless to say, intercity passenger rail became a sad ghost of its past glories and efficiencies when private railroads were forced by conditions (lots of cars) to sell out to AMTRAK which cut routes so heavily that it's a miracle if any place you want to go is served by train. Train in many cases costs a lot more than flying. Go figure.
Malcolm
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Malcolm R. Campbell
http://www.malcolmrcampbell.com |
| | | | Forest Elf
Four Star Member
Joined : 09 May 2008
Posts : 371
Location : Northern Nevada
| | Subject: Re: Life in the fast lane Thu May 29, 2008 5:37 pm | |
| | Malcolm wrote: | | ... For many kinds of goods, rail can do better!! With their old fashioned ways, the railroads cannot effectively compete with trucks when, for example, a company in town A suddenly wants to move several tons of lumber 80 miles away to town B. In many instances, a truck can bo back and forth between those towns numerouns times before the railroads even get the boxcar out of the yard. ... |
The freight industry is using the railway.
Trucks and railways do work together.
If you look at the trucks on the road, you will often see trucks with rail containers. And if you watch trains, you will often see them carrying trucking trailers.
We routinely pick up and deliver trailers to railyards.
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~ JoElle Martín ~
http://www.dreamersforest.com |
| | | | rainbow689
Four Star Member
Age : 57
Joined : 15 Apr 2008
Posts : 403
Location : Laredo TX
| | Subject: Re: Life in the fast lane Thu May 29, 2008 10:47 pm | |
| | Pam wrote: | | rainbow689 wrote: |
it's no wonder truckers never get much respect with attitudes like yours, |
My
point was that we have unused railways and as such access to
alternative means of transportation right here in North America, but we
choose not to use them. When I see trucks that have driven a thousand
miles to bring merchandise from point A to point B and both points are
well served by rail, I just shake my head. I was not being
disrespectful nor disparaging of truck drivers. Nor did I say they
alone were responsible for pollution. As a career counsellor I have
helped many folks find their way into the trucking industry, and so
although I poked fun at my own attitude, I am taken aback by your
assessment of it Rainbow.
In addition, I would think that as
people who work with words we can overlook a misspelling and consider
the point that someone is making. A misspelling that leads into a bit
of fun is just that, a bit of fun. But missing the point is, well,
missing the point. |
Obviously one of the problems with this form of communication it is oft
times difficult to know without the benefit of facial expressions, tone
of voice and body language, exactly what is meant, as it was written it
seemed disparaging to truckers although I accept that wasn't your
intention as you've now explained
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Welcome Earthlings
http://fly.to/rainbow689 |
| | | | rainbow689
Four Star Member
Age : 57
Joined : 15 Apr 2008
Posts : 403
Location : Laredo TX
| | Subject: Re: Life in the fast lane Thu May 29, 2008 10:49 pm | |
| | Dick Stodghill wrote: | Good one, Rainbow.  |
Thanks Sir Dick 
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Welcome Earthlings
http://fly.to/rainbow689 |
| | | | Forest Elf
Four Star Member
Joined : 09 May 2008
Posts : 371
Location : Northern Nevada
| | Subject: Re: Life in the fast lane Thu May 29, 2008 11:27 pm | |
| | Pam wrote: | | ... There used to be a beautiful trip through the Rockies Zada, from Vancouver to Edmonton. I was on it as a younster once and the scenery was spellbinding to look at the scenery instead of driving past it. Happy railing! |
Ooooh, we've driven TCH 1 through the Rockies from Calgary to Surrey (in the winter) it was soooo beautiful !!!
The Candian Rockies are just amazing.
_________________
~ JoElle Martín ~
http://www.dreamersforest.com |
| | | | Dick Stodghill
Four Star Member
Age : 83
Joined : 04 May 2008
Posts : 867
Location : Ohio
| | Subject: Re: Life in the fast lane Fri May 30, 2008 1:12 pm | |
| I kind of like the the road between Steubenville and Martins Ferry although sometimes I use the one on the West Virginia side of the river. If you do that, don't go by the steel mill in Weirton at shift change time.
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Mystery Writers of America, Private Eye Writers of America
www.dickstodghill.com |
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