 |
Re: Lac Megantic? $#it Happens?
Author: mook
Date: 09-06-2014 - 13:44
No it's not a conflict of interest. Being interested in railroads as a fan doesn't mean you have to accept everything they do as parfect.
Railroads don't have any more right than anybody else to pollute. One of the basic air quality rules (also, separately, a law in California and numerous other places), in force practically nationwide since the 1960s or early 70s, is "no visible emissions" - in most cases, you've got to be pretty bad to violate that rule, but Steinheimer's and others "honorary steam locomotive" Alco pictures would be are clear evidence of violation if taken in the last 40 years or so. Short puffs at throttle changes are generally OK; simply shooting a smoke skyward is not.
Highway and stationary engines are subject to the same rules. Construction equipment that isn't properly maintained has been fined, too. And why do you think the early ARB truck inspectors were called "smoke inspectors" (and maybe still are)?
Railroads don't have any more right than anybody else to pollute. One of the basic air quality rules (also, separately, a law in California and numerous other places), in force practically nationwide since the 1960s or early 70s, is "no visible emissions" - in most cases, you've got to be pretty bad to violate that rule, but Steinheimer's and others "honorary steam locomotive" Alco pictures would be are clear evidence of violation if taken in the last 40 years or so. Short puffs at throttle changes are generally OK; simply shooting a smoke skyward is not.
Highway and stationary engines are subject to the same rules. Construction equipment that isn't properly maintained has been fined, too. And why do you think the early ARB truck inspectors were called "smoke inspectors" (and maybe still are)?
