posted
Hello everyone! As a long-time reader, I'm happy to officially join the forum. It doesn't seem many new posters use this location to introduce themselves, but nevertheless I thought it might be nice to say hello to you regulars and others interested.
I've been riding Amtrak since its inception. I began riding passenger trains in the 1950s.
I do appreciate the manner in which many regular contributors disagree with one another yet remain civil and polite. I hope I can contribute in the same way. It will be difficult.
During the past year, time did not permit me to check in on this forum. Upon recently looking in again, I was so surprised, and really disappointed, to find the same 10 people are still primary contributors, and are still discussing basically the same subjects found on the forum a year ago. I wish I had such time!
I am a resident of Kansas City, Missouri, and I regularly ride Amtrak long distance trains nationwide to California, Chicago, the Northwest, New Orleans, Florida, New York and New England.
You will probably find my contributions blunt, critical, and opinionated. As an experienced and frequent rider who does in fact travel west of Chicago regularly, please know what I submit is meant to be helpful. While the forum can be fun, and can provide people an opportunity to show their knowledge of Amtrak as well as their knowledge of irrelevant railroad details from 40 years ago, I believe the focus of the forum should be, in the end, to encourage all readers to do the necessary to save Amtrak, nationwide. That's the bottom line, the crucial point. Those who worry about which side of the car to sit on need to be aware that Amtrak may be gone in five years.
It is not important to me to know what color, in 1955, the coach seats on the third coach were on an 8:15 A.M. train from Chicago to Peoria, or who merged with whom in 1960. Let's just forget such nonsense and work to save all of Amtrak!
I'm glad to join you. I'll contribute when I can, when I think I have something to offer that hasn't already been said many times. I promise never to use the word "methinks" or lurk in the background waiting to contribute the "final" word on a subject.
Posts: 1 | From: Kansas City, Missouri | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Lightss, I do believe you have missed what I at least think this forum to be. We have become friends. We help each other as needed, have fun with word and puns and just enjoy . I must say I wonder if you really need this particular forum, I take unbrage at your calling what we enjoy nonsense. Yes I can be blunt and critical too.And frankly I must say I find your comments very insulting. I too have ridden trains for many years and I enjoy discussing trains with the various forum posters who range from teens to seniors.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
Mr. Light, from reviewing your introductory posting, you are concerned that this forum is not more directed towards Amtrak advocacy.
I disagree, if an advocacy group wishes to maintain a site that will further their agenda, that is their prerogative - and also their "light bill'.
You have a colleague from Kansas City named Doug Ohlemeier who holds same belief as yours. At his advocacy group's website, I was taken to task for the agenda I set during my two terms as Moderator at another site. Most specifically, my stewardship of railroad.net is being addressed:
The Amtrak Long Distance system IS important in that it is the catalyst for the legislative majority (218+51+1 as referred to by a member here at the site) needed to ensure federal level funding of the one regional operation where Amtrak is providing meaningful transportation. That of course is the Northeast Corridor where absent such, the region's economy and quality of life would be adversely affected.
But it is highly questionable to what extent long distance trains provide any meaningful transportation. The efficacy of "One a day' serving a declining population base (Empire Builder) is open to question. Even more open to question is the "Tri-Weekly' frequency through the fastest growing region in the USA (Sunset). But to impose an increase in frequencies would place an unreasonable burden on the investor owned Class I roads.
But that having been said, allow me to note that when I travel Amtrak LD, namely when such is convenient to my travel needs, as distinct from riding for the sake of riding, I find the service to have "more positives than negatives'.
Nevertheless, after reviewing, Ms. Train Lady's, my own, and any other responses to follow, I hope you choose to accept the spirit of this virtually unmoderated site, and participate in the spirit engendered here.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Lightss - I concur with Train Lady's comments, we each use the Amtrak forum for many reasons. I personally have learned how to travel on Amtrak, have had my many questions answered, have met some great people in person on my LD trips and have had private communications with some very wonderful people. Were it not for the friendly, open nature of the forum I would never have begun my train travels. As Gil often notes, we mostly use the forum as a resource for "traveling". There are other forums whose emphasis is the politics and economics of Amtrak or the mechanical, technical issues of the train sets. Some of our regular contributors are also knowledgeable in those areas and are great resources of information. I reiterate what Gil says - I hope you chose to participate in the spirit expressed here.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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As a member of a few years on this forum, I am a little concerned about the way you are starting out. While it may seem to you that "the same 10 people are still primary contributors, and are still discussing basically the same subjects" it does not to us. But, when a new person shows up with questions that have been discussed previously, people here are generally civil enough to answer his questions instead of saying, in effect, "hey dummy, that has already been talked about. Just go find the right three year old thread." That may be part of what is giving you the impression that we are talking in circles. Maybe in part we are, because, as trainlady says, we have become a circle of friends and sometimes you do rerun the same subject. And, when we do, quite frequently you will see that there have been slight and sometimes not so slight changes in position of the various participants based on previous discussions.
For some people here, the "color, in 1955, the coach seats on the third coach were on an 8:15 A.M. train from Chicago to Peoria, or who merged with whom in 1960," is of interest, and there are others here that might know. If that is not you cup of tea, all you have to do is skip the thread.
If you want strong advocacy, you can find that elsewhere. If you enjoy a somewhat relaxed conversation that usually starts on something train-related, but may wander, this is a nice place to visit.
George
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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We couldn't even keep a tour operator for railfan junkets in business, could we?
George, interesting to see that your back in the states. Permanent move or just visiting? How are the Baby Bullets?
-------------------- 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
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quote:Originally posted by lightss: While the forum can be fun, and can provide people an opportunity to show their knowledge of Amtrak as well as their knowledge of irrelevant railroad details from 40 years ago, I believe the focus of the forum should be, in the end, to encourage all readers to do the necessary to save Amtrak, nationwide. That's the bottom line, the crucial point. Those who worry about which side of the car to sit on need to be aware that Amtrak may be gone in five years.
Mr. Light, I certainly share your passion for preserving and expanding Amtrak's national network. But I don't believe our forum discussions should be limited to advocacy. Every post, whether on matters significant or small, contributes to our collective knowledge and education, as well as making the board a fun place to hang out.
Many newcomers here, who are often newcomers to rail travel, are curious about small details that will help them better prepare for their trips. It is in our best interests as advocates to help them make the most of their experience so that they'll want to do it again and join our ranks as advocates. Many regulars here started out that way.
Small matters of upholstery colors may seem even more trivial. True, cosmetics is less than 1% of railroading, but it is 100% of what the customer sees. Thus knowing what was successful aesthetically in the past may hold clues to successful marketing in the future. Again, this is just contributing to our overall knowledge base from which we may or may not draw inspiration in the future.
Each individual here has somewhat different priorities. Some of us have more time than others to actively pursue advocacy. We do what we can.
I look forward to your continued participation and hope you spur lively, respectful debate.
Posts: 2649 | From: California's Monterey Peninsula | Registered: Dec 2000
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quote:Originally posted by notelvis: George, interesting to see that your back in the states. Permanent move or just visiting? How are the Baby Bullets?
Back to the US for good, so far as I know. Have to admit I left Taipei just short of tied up kicking and screaming after 17 years of calling it home. Looks like I will be hanging my hat up in San Francisco for a while. When does summer start in this city? Have not been on the Baby Bullet as yet. If things go as planned, I will be involved in the big bullet - Calif HSR.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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posted
Welcome to California, Mr. Harris! We're almost neighbors, now.
To answer your question, if it's foggy, it's summer. If it's sunny and windy, it's spring. If it's sunny and not so windy, it's fall. If it's stormy, it's winter or early spring. If Christmas decorations are up, it's Halloween.
Good luck on the Big Bullet.
Posts: 2649 | From: California's Monterey Peninsula | Registered: Dec 2000
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posted
Mr. Light, I'm pretty new here and have only recently taken my first LD Amtrak trip. If this forum had been as you would like to see it, centered around the politics and the "save the whales" discussions, I probably would have been very soured on taking the train. Nothing spoils anticipation like negativity and conjecture. I am not opposed to such discussions, even "lively" ones. But they need to be mixed in with other positive commentary and a little bit of fun. A "serious" forum might have exactly the opposite effect on potential new riders than you are hoping to encourage.
We were very excited to take the trip, in part because of the people who post here and the information they share. The little tips and willingness to share knowledge have been very valuable to me and my wife (my "wife and I"?, sorry, I digress to the subject of another thread).
My point is, being too serious will discourage ridership. Its like doing business with a company you know is in bankruptcy. People start to shy away. K-Mart for example lost a lot customers because people lost trust. We need to be positive about Amtrak if we are going to encourage people to ride. I for one don't believe Amtrak will be gone in 5 years. I've been hearing that since I was a kid (mid '70s). Ridership is up and a lot of positive things are happening. We need to play that up.
All that said, I look forward to your comments and experience!
-------------------- Chuck
“Adventure is just bad planning.” - Roald Amundsen Posts: 80 | From: Wisconsin | Registered: Feb 2007
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quote:Originally posted by Doc Brown: valuable to me and my wife (my "wife and I"?, sorry, I digress to the subject of another thread).
"my wife and me" is the correct way. The easy way to figure it out is to say it without the other names and decide which sounds right. In this case, when you say "valuable to me" and then "valuable to I" is easily becomes obvious that the right way is "valuable to me", hence "valuable to my wife and me." Always put the first person pronoun last in these series.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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posted
If we were all like-minded rail advocates, this forum would make for a dull read. Or as Bob Dylan aptly sang it: "Ain't no use in talkin' to you, it's the same as talkin' to me."
As for the nonsense, one of my favorite quotes (Emma Goldman?) is: "To he!! with your revolution, if I can't dance!"
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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quote:You have a colleague from Kansas City named Doug Ohlemeier who holds same belief as yours. At his advocacy group's website, I was taken to task for the agenda I set during my two terms as Moderator at another site. Most specifically, my stewardship of railroad.net is being addressed:
I am sorry you took offense to the posting. If you look closer, you will see your name was never mentioned. I wonder if you could have done the same with your post.
It is highly improper of you to publicly call out another person's name in an unrelated topic.
You must have been nursing your grudge for a long time to act so irresponsibly.
Posts: 78 | From: Kansas City | Registered: Apr 2004
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