Oil's energy contribution has declined by about 12% since 1999. The world's economies have also declined by about 12%. (Using conventional metrics, which are time delayed determinations, this will only be seen in hind sight). The massive destruction of asset values now occurring testifies to it happening.
Peak is well behind us, world economies have peaked and will continue to decline.
WASHINGTON - Amtrak ridership in July Fiscal Year 2008 increased to 2,750,278, nearly a 14 percent increase, marking the most passengers carried in any single month in Amtrak's 37 year history. Total ridership for the Fiscal Year to date — October 1, 2007 - July 31, 2008 — reached 23.7 million, topping the 21.3 million from the same period last year. Total ticket revenue for the fiscal year to date reached $1.4 billion, a 14.1 percent increase over the same period in FY07. For the month of July, ticket revenue increased by 18.6 percent to $168 million.
"Increasing fuel prices, highway congestion, airline issues and environmental awareness continue to make intercity passenger rail extremely relevant and popular," said Alex Kummant, President and CEO of Amtrak. "In addition, we continue to work on service improvements and better on-time performance, which draws more ridership and revenue each month.
Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:45 am Post subject: Re: [Transportation] Trains (was - The Future of Railroads)
We haul all freight. I saw on television that a train can haul ONE TON of freight, 500 miles on one GALLON of fuel so yes, the future is going to pivot more on trains. HOWEVER, they are so over taxed on track space, we are going to have to have some huge infrastructure monies input
I think Amtrak type things will work in the east due to the big populations. Out here in the midwest, not enough folks to make it pay.
Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:35 am Post subject: Re: [Transportation] Trains (was - The Future of Railroads)
Chicago is still a major rail hub. I could see regional lines built out to Milwaukee (in fact, this one already exists), Quad Cities, Springfield, Indianapolis, and St. Louis in the distant future. _________________ "It's called the American Dream because you'd have to be asleep to believe it."
Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 6:48 am Post subject: Re: [Transportation] Trains (was - The Future of Railroads)
We are northwest of Louisville on what was once "The Monon Line", now owned by the Southern RR, I think. The main line runs through town, there are 2 light industrial sidings, and there was up until a few years ago, a depot in the center of town for passengers and freight. Additionally, there were "interrurban" trolley-like runs, I've been told, though I don't know what sort of rolling stock. I hope to see that situation revived in light of PO, to give the town rail service, in lieu of so many trucks.
Currently, only heavy freight passes through, mixed freight and passenger service could easily become economically viable again, particularly in an oil emergency situation. The infrastructure is still there, and maintained. Lucky for us, I think. _________________ Local fix-it guy..
Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:42 am Post subject: Re: [Transportation] Trains (was - The Future of Railroads)
French rail conglomerate SNCF has teamed up with discount retailer Monoprix to serve Paris' 60 stores by rail and small, LNG-powered trucks.
(emphasis mine below)
Quote:
As we left the warehouse, we rolled on to a huge railway line that took us... to Monoprix.
Reduce road traffic by 120,000 tonnes of products, equal to 10,000 trucks on the roads of Paris--not a bad idea from the supermarket chain. The chain is a pioneer in sustainable development and a genuine icon in town centre shopping. Over 50% of its sales are achieved in the Ile-de-France region and the company wishes to free itself from the hindrances of urban congestion.
Dawn report.. About twenty SNCF wagons are loaded with pallets in Monoprix's two Paris-area warehouses (Villeneuve-Saint-Georges for beverages and Combs-la-Ville for non-food products), and transport them to the SNCF goods station at Paris-Bercy. From there, a fleet of trucks running on natural gas deliver the merchandise to the 60 Monoprix shops in Paris. Absolute precision: the diesel locos used are all equipped with particle filters. Result: a breath of fresh air (280 tonnes less CO2 per year) and less congestion (road transport distance reduced by 70%).
...
And tomorrow? Fret SNCF is building a network of 8 goods stations in Paris, all equipped with natural gas filling stations. Goods will arrive by train; only the last mile or so will be travelled by road.
...
Many of our center cities could benefit from a similar distribution plan in the not-too-distant future. _________________ "It's called the American Dream because you'd have to be asleep to believe it."
Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 2:04 pm Post subject: Re: [Transportation] Trains (was - The Future of Railroads)
People in places like WI should consider themselves lucky. WI still has the most active miles of RR in the US of any state and those tracks often go through small towns.
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