[Speed Gibson,
Monday November 26, 2007 at 8:46pm]
Planes, Trains, Buses, and Automobiles
My father's business accountant, true to his profession, always grumbled about any expense he deemed frivolous. He was often right, that dad bought a few "toys" now and then. "Didn't the circus ever come through town when you were growing up?" he'd ask.
I have the same thought about trains, specifically passenger service, from street car trolleys to Amtrak. Let's face it. It's obsolete technology and has been for 50 years. And yet our politicians can't get enough of it. Didn't they get their fill of Lionel when they were growing up?
Trains are fabulous for freight and I won't bore you with the obvious reasons why vis-à-vis passenger service. However romantic or nostalgic, the reality is that trains make lousy people movers compared to planes, buses, and automobiles.
Even I don't really remember street cars save only the final run by my grandfather before he switched from motorman to driver with Twin City Lines. Those who do remember them recall the noise, the rough ride, the lurching, and above all, the winter cold. Sure, the modern day Hiawatha Line resolved most of the creature comfort issues, but added some problems of its own: fatal traffic accidents, increased crime, and yes, more congestion.
Now they're talking about restoring rail service to Duluth, which was tried and failed as an Amtrak run. May I ask why?
First, it's not that far, about 150 easy freeway miles, 2.5 hours or so. You can stop anytime and anywhere you want along the way, eat, get coffee, even gamble here and there. You have your car stereo to listen to. You can set the temperature exactly where you want it. (Discount the above a little for each additional passenger!)
Second, there's bus service, less than $25 one way, once a day, about 4.5 hours because of several stops. But if you don't drive, how are you going to get around once you get there? You could also fly in, but same question. Ditto a train.
The proponents talk of how a businessman could work on the train, connected by Wi-Fi. But frankly, there isn't much business to conduct in Duluth. It's increasingly a town of pork projects, office buildings and stores giving way to public agency buildings and museums. Ironically, the Internet reduces the need to travel in the first place. No wonder they're talking of an 80% subsidy.
All in all, there's not reason one to justify trying to reclaim a piece of the past people have already rejected - and will again even more so now.
I have the same thought about trains, specifically passenger service, from street car trolleys to Amtrak. Let's face it. It's obsolete technology and has been for 50 years. And yet our politicians can't get enough of it. Didn't they get their fill of Lionel when they were growing up?
Trains are fabulous for freight and I won't bore you with the obvious reasons why vis-à-vis passenger service. However romantic or nostalgic, the reality is that trains make lousy people movers compared to planes, buses, and automobiles.
Even I don't really remember street cars save only the final run by my grandfather before he switched from motorman to driver with Twin City Lines. Those who do remember them recall the noise, the rough ride, the lurching, and above all, the winter cold. Sure, the modern day Hiawatha Line resolved most of the creature comfort issues, but added some problems of its own: fatal traffic accidents, increased crime, and yes, more congestion.
Now they're talking about restoring rail service to Duluth, which was tried and failed as an Amtrak run. May I ask why?
First, it's not that far, about 150 easy freeway miles, 2.5 hours or so. You can stop anytime and anywhere you want along the way, eat, get coffee, even gamble here and there. You have your car stereo to listen to. You can set the temperature exactly where you want it. (Discount the above a little for each additional passenger!)
Second, there's bus service, less than $25 one way, once a day, about 4.5 hours because of several stops. But if you don't drive, how are you going to get around once you get there? You could also fly in, but same question. Ditto a train.
The proponents talk of how a businessman could work on the train, connected by Wi-Fi. But frankly, there isn't much business to conduct in Duluth. It's increasingly a town of pork projects, office buildings and stores giving way to public agency buildings and museums. Ironically, the Internet reduces the need to travel in the first place. No wonder they're talking of an 80% subsidy.
All in all, there's not reason one to justify trying to reclaim a piece of the past people have already rejected - and will again even more so now.