Here is the report.
This is a brief summary of what I do, even though my territory doesn’t have as much traffic as this maintainer has. I get to work with a great bunch of people. You know who you are. I’ll let the video speak for itself.
A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I was reading a train book. (Surprise, surprise!) I’m still watching Texas. Anyway, I finished Waiting on a Train at the end of October. Below is the review I wrote on my profile over at Goodreads. I thought about just linking to here, but I wasn’t sure how it would work if a reader doesn’t have Goodreads.
Waiting on a Train by James McCommons (is a very enjoyable and eye-opening book. I enjoyed imagining the picture McCommons painted of fellow passengers, government and industry leaders, and landscapes in the land of the free and the home of the brave. His observations and descriptions are poetic and insightful. His interviews are skillful (no surprise with his journalism background) in gaining the information he seeks, yet also revealing of the personalities.
What I particularly found helpful is the intertwining of history, technology, and political reality. He delineates how we came to arrive at the semi-broken and variegated passenger train system we have today, what can be done to fix it, and what it will take to do so. The author is an enthusiastic realist, talking with other enthusiastic realists, but is no mere foamer. He explains, from a technical and industry standpoint, why American railroads (or Amtrak, either)cannot run bullet trains on existing freight tracks. Yet, he also points out what speed increases beyond 100 mph are possible, and how and where these increases might be accomplished, both from a technical, political, and financial standpoint. Regarding bullet trains, he reports where and how Americans might replicate the Japanese experience.
McCommons addresses varying train technology, footprints, politics, including the creation of Amtrak, and the customer experiences and improvements along the way. He clearly enjoys riding the rails, notes where problems and success exist, and hopes for a better tomorrow for American railroading.
I’ve always wondered how Grand Central would look. Now I have a glimpse!
If you’re visiting NYC and haven’t seen Grand Central Terminal yet, you definitely need to add this to your city bucket list. As one of the nation’s most famous landmarks, Grand Central is guaranteed to amaze its visitors with its beautiful architecture and design.
Unveiled in 1913, GCT was built with an extreme craft, catering to its magnificent details, while also keeping in mind the importance of efficiency in transportation. Its unique outcome has become an essential piece of New York City’s history.
Aside from being a famous train terminal, GCT is also known for its shops, restaurants, and market. Grand Central is the world’s largest train station and is home to 35 dining options, 68 shops, and an extensive market that sells seafood, pastries, and other fine foods.
Free walking tours are available every Sunday at 10am which are led by one of GCT’s expert docents. The tour provides extensive information…
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“Westinghouse (the developer of the air brake) was one of those restless geniuses who goes out searching for a necessity to mother his invention.”
— from Working on the Railroad, edited by Richard Reinhardt, in the chapter entitled, “The Brakeman’s Glorious, Rowdy Life.”
I’ve been reading “Waiting on a Train”, by James McCommons, copyright 2009, and published by Chelsea Green Publishing. The subtitle is “The Embattled Future of Rail Service”. It is “A Year Spent Riding Across America”, but so much more. I hope to post a further review within a week or two when I have completed my reading. However, I’d suggest anyone with an interest in American passenger service, particularly in high-speed passenger rail, take a look at the Texas Central Railway website. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) are holding Environmental Impact Study (EIS) hearings at six locations this week. One of the TCR senior officers, Robert Eckels, was interviewed and quoted at length in McCommons’ book.
The article provides a quick look at PTC, but the video includes some mind-boggling statistics.
Here is one site where one can learn about one of America’s railroads, and the history and photos of many others. I know many other sites exist, also, but I haven’t had time to look at the ones people have mentioned to me. I find the photos of places where I have worked or currently work are particularly interesting.
This is a fascinating article I picked up from one of my LinkedIn groups on Railway Signaling, Train Control and monitoring. As much as I’ve enjoyed flight, I recall many “wasted” hours during my time of travel for business. I always made the most of the time I had driving or waiting, but that’s another matter. This is an enjoyable article.
A good friend gave me a great railroad book the other day. It is titled “Superpower: The Making of a Steam Locomotive”, by David Weitzman. He has detailed line drawings, an engaging story of a young apprentice and a newly designed 2-8-4 locomotive, and historical asides about 1920’s America and railroads. It’s a fascinating journey of the imagination.
R & R 