http://news.yahoo.com/why-small-north-da...03008.html

I'm sympathetic. Someone from the rail line ought to work on a solution, instead of being an antagonist.

(11-25-2014 11:58 AM)DrTorch Wrote:  http://news.yahoo.com/why-small-north-da...03008.html

I'm sympathetic. Someone from the rail line ought to work on a solution, instead of being an antagonist.

There are numerous layers to this issue.

First of all, if they had adequate pipeline capacity, these trains wouldn't need to run (in the numbers they do). Just think of the ecological disaster if one of these oil laden trains derail. Plus, what about all that diesel fuel used to move the oil, and associated exhaust?

Secondly, railroads operate like the fourth branch of government. This is no longer 1850, and they are not key to the settlement of the wild west. Their powers need to be curtailed. They certainly shouldn't have condemnation powers.

Third, as long as railroads are the fourth branch of government, they will do NOTHING to change. It is all about them. Remember, they have the ownership of that right of way, and every road that crosses it is at their pleasure. That relationhip/approach needs to change.

This situation sucks. It happens in a town very near me as well.

That is crazy. Had no idea they could just block roads for hours at a time.

I'm sympathetic, but not as sympathetic as I would be if there wasn't

Quote:an overpass three miles outside town does offer some relief.

Everything and I mean everything in a small town like this is miles and miles away and an investment in time and energy. Having to go to the overpass should not be all that surprising.

I'm wondering if this is one of those towns that was specifically built around something, in this case, trains, which made its existence possible. And now that it exists, it wants to kill the very thing that brought it to life. It's the same way airports, factories, etc.