March 2007 - Posts

Tri-met's Light Rail Construction Update

I've been using the service to check on the status of construction downtown.  I have also been receiving the e-mails.  I clicked on the status today, to check out the link to the status map of downtown.  They're doing an excellent job, Read More
posted Friday, March 30, 2007 2:08 PM by adron | 0 Comments
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Public Transit vs. Automobile

A friend of mine has been in Portland looking for work.  He does carpentry work, placing him firmly in the blue collar category.  His profession isn't technically requisite of a private automobile, but in almost every call back, reference, job Read More
posted Wednesday, March 28, 2007 10:05 AM by adron | 0 Comments
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Only One Description

Freight Rail is win-win.  There is no doubt, no other transportation industry that is as win-win as the freight railroads are.  "NS’ 2006 industrial development scorecard: 70 new facilities and 45 plant additions".  Thousands of new jobs, Read More
posted Friday, March 23, 2007 10:18 AM by adron | 0 Comments
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Pierce County Transit Bus #1

On this grand Tuesday in March I quit staying at the ole' hotels and decided I'd start staying with some friends from work.  They've got a house rented down 9th Ave in Tacoma.  With that begins a new adventure, Bus #1 of Pierce County Transit. Read More
posted Tuesday, March 20, 2007 7:59 AM by adron | 0 Comments
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California HSR

Over on Youtube, via the actual Caifornia HSR Group.  If this ever gets buit, it would be the smartest thing for American Transportation in well over 100 years (Cuz the interstates definately didn't help). Read More
posted Monday, March 19, 2007 10:35 AM by adron | 0 Comments
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Tacoma Meeting

Today I'm about to embark on Amtrak Cascades #500 north to Tacoma for the north west NARP Meeting.  My father and I have been planning this trip for about 3 weeks now.  It should be a ride up, a quick jog over to the meeting, and a return trip Read More
posted Saturday, March 17, 2007 3:42 PM by adron | 0 Comments
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The Long Ride (#77-#81-#4-MAX-Streetcar)

With the sun striking the eyes over the crest of the horizon it sprinkled itself through the window blinds.  With that I knew not long and the alarm would ring.  Momentarily it went off and I thrashed one arm free of my blankets to find the Read More
posted Thursday, March 15, 2007 2:21 PM by adron | 0 Comments
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S.O.P.

Well, it seems the railroads are continuing to prove their standard operating procedures.  Union Pacific completed some major track work a week ahead of schedule.  Even with all the aches and pains and Government oversight headache and anti-competitive Read More
posted Thursday, March 15, 2007 10:17 AM by adron | 0 Comments
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Morning Breakfast run on Sound Transit

Last night I didn't sleep a wink.  There was just too much to do and too much to think about.  With the 5:00am hour rolling near I looked at the clock and decided that since I was up I would go get breakfast somewhere. With that I showered and Read More
posted Saturday, March 10, 2007 8:46 AM by adron | 0 Comments
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Proper Crewing and Technology Usage

Amtrak Cascades between Portland and Vancouver are a heavily utilized corridor route.  Today I got to thinking though, as we only had the snack bar attendant and conductor in the car.  What did I think about?  Well, simply put, proper crew Read More
posted Wednesday, March 07, 2007 12:36 PM by adron | 0 Comments
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Ugh, come on Amtrak, you can do it!

While I'm writing up the entry that comes after this one, I must mention my annoyance with the wonderful first time experience of my friend that I've brought along for a train ride.  We board on time and are sitting in preparation for the train departure Read More
posted Wednesday, March 07, 2007 12:25 PM by adron | 0 Comments
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Restoring Service to Dubuque

After over a decade Dubuque might see service from Chicago soon.  Amtrak did a study and has found it would cost $62 million to upgrade existing tracks and about $5 million per year to operate for a single train. My question is, if they have even Read More
posted Tuesday, March 06, 2007 9:20 AM by adron | 0 Comments
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PDX, TAC, CTL, PDX - Leisure Workday

Day 1 Once again I am on the train again waiting to depart enroute to Tacoma.  One difference about this trip is I will be in Tacoma for one day (Wednesday) where I will work a full day, then depart on the evening Amtrak Cascades train for Centralia.  Read More
posted Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:01 AM by adron | 0 Comments
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