Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

I know this may seem 'really random', but there has been a dramatic increase

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread		 This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010) Donate to DU
 
Mind_your_head Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-08 12:26 AM
Original message
I know this may seem 'really random', but there has been a dramatic increase
in train traffic in my area. I live quite a distance from the tracks, but I can clearly hear it.....I mentioned it to my kids (with better hearing than I) several weeks ago, and they concur.

I was thinking perhaps shipping by rail is cheaper than trucking? But that's probably too simplistic.

Anyone have any insight/thoughts?

There has been a LOT of rail traffic lately....way more than is normal.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
Mira Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-08 12:28 AM
Response to Original message
1. Passenger trains - or transportation of goods trains?
Either way, it has to do with the cost of gasoline, don't you think?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Mind_your_head Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-08 12:31 AM
Response to Reply #1
2. Oh c'mon.....it's certainly not an increase in passenger trains....
it's freight.

Coal, corn syrups, tank cars, shipping containers.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
StreetKnowledge Donating Member (921 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-08 12:33 AM
Response to Original message
3. Pretty simple, actually.
"I was thinking perhaps shipping by rail is cheaper than trucking? But that's probably too simplistic."

Actually, it's the truth. The interchangeability between trucks and trains with containers, and the much lower fuel and personnel costs of rail shipping, have driven a HUGE growth in American traffic in the last two decades. My father worked in the business until retiring in 2002.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Mind_your_head Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-08 12:35 AM
Response to Reply #3
5. LTL is still pretty expensive.....moreso for rail n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
spag68 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-08 12:35 AM
Response to Original message
4. Passenger trains
I take the train from NY to Pgh. 52$ and not a bad ride. Bring a sandwich and enjoy the scenery in a comfortable stretched out seat, been doing it for years. I hope it doesn't get too crowded.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Vodid Donating Member (99 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-08 12:35 AM
Response to Original message
6. Cheapest Transportation
is by boat. Second cheapest is by rail. I'm a simplistic guy, who figures it's just cheaper to transport ones goods by rail in a nation with high fuel prices...but who knows. The military uses rail...and I live next to railroad tracks...I've seen long trains of military hardware aboard.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
tularetom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-08 12:36 AM
Response to Original message
7. Ever see that CSX commercial?
They claim they can move a ton of freight 427 miles (or something like that) on one gallon of fuel.

I keep meaning to research that 'cause it sounds so incredible.

But if it's true, what truck can match that?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
LiberalHeart Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-08 12:38 AM
Response to Original message
8. I'm not seeing (hearing) an increase in trains where I live, and I do live near tracks.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Kali Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-08 12:55 AM
Response to Original message
9. Have you changed YOUR routine in the interim?
I live on a ranch that has about 10 miles of track running throuogh it and I have noticed some days there is train after train after train. Other days there won't be a single one for hours on end. I am not sure what their schedules are (or if they even really have them for freight trains?) but some days sure are busier than others. Maybe a schedule or routine change in your life has exposed you to the busy times???

Just a thought.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Acryliccalico Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-08 01:03 AM
Response to Original message
10. Hearing more trains here too
I live in northern Illinois and right next to train tracks. I have lived here 36 years and have never heard them go by so much.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Robbien Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-08 01:48 AM
Response to Reply #10
14. In Illinois it is because Canada has been buying up rail rights and have increased freight
traffic. In fact in August they bought the EJ&E line. Barrington's mayor said it probably increased traffic by about five times. All suburbs have increased traffic as Canadian goods wind their way through our state.

There was a big fight about the purchase and increased traffic in Chicagoland. The citizens lost.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
CreekDog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-08 01:06 AM
Response to Original message
11. The higher cost of diesel made trains more cost effective than trucks
for a lot of shipping. this was reported in the news this summer.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Mind_your_head Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-08 01:27 AM
Response to Reply #11
12. My brother has been a trucker for all of his life......
g'bye to his job is what you're saying. Just like Jaymie Diamond *sparkle* said to his workers at Bank One!

Bye. C'ya....can live without ya! :hi:

Oh, oh, oh......its gonna come back to bite, me thinks!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
CreekDog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-08 01:35 AM
Response to Reply #12
13. hey don't blame me, i'd rather he was working
and that truckers were paid better and given more reasonable working conditions.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Fri May 03rd 2024, 02:09 PM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010) Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC