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Re: Absurd letter? Don't confuse this with reality, it's now all politics....
Author: BOB2
Date: 07-12-2021 - 15:22
Ernest H. Robl Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am not sure why some people are so afraid of /
> hate traditional electrification, as is widespread
> in Europe.
>
> Over the years, I have made quite a number of
> photos in Europe that are basically landscapes,
> but which include an electrified train line.
>
> One of the things that I have noticed is that once
> you get more than a few hundred feet away from the
> railway line, the electrification is basically
> invisible.
>
> So, one of the arguments that cannot be made
> against electrification is that it is somehow
> visibly objectionable.
>
>
> Oh, yes, as the letter mentions third rail.
> Anyone who has had anything to do with railroads
> knows that third rail really only works for
> relatively low-speed urban transit. Third rail,
> by necessity has some gaps in it -- won't go into
> all the reasons here -- but at these gaps, there
> are slanted pieces of rail which gradually bring
> the pickup shoes into contact with the rail. At
> higher speeds, you end up damaging or tearing off
> the pickup shoes at these locations.
>
> -- Ernest
This letter has nothing whatsoever to do with the "reality" of electrification, which needs to move forward, at an affordable and sensible pace, where we are ready.... This is all about the politics of the CAHSRA's supposed financial commitment to the US Link funding before they go broke, overspending on the current segment, ludicrous planning expenses, and a needless equipment purchase....
And, it relates to the desire to see the LA-UP Harbor sub/WSAB Light Rail project funded with the bulk of the State surplus funds, by the Olympics in 2028. As opposed to using half of the State surplus funds on backfilling CAHSRA's failed financial commitment. The incompetence and lying from this mismanged over budget taxpayer fiasco has finally pissed off the elected representatives from the other 60% of the States population in Sou Cal...
I also saw a segment of a public affairs program with the Secretary of Tramsportation on a visit hear in CA, and he never appeared to directly reference or mention the "runaway money train" by name... High speed rail was generic, he pointed to the Siemens purchase and the CA connection, with clean jobs, and he spoke mostly (kept carefully "om message") about transit, bridges, highways, aging, safety, jobs... He didn't even get "spaced out" on any of the "altermative reality" "complete streets" bs, except for the generic "environmental" "clean transportation" hyoe.
The revolving door at the CAHSRA is now looking for yet another new management team... And, there will be some kind of infrastructure bill, so the PR push and the political theater will only get better as the summer rolls along....
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am not sure why some people are so afraid of /
> hate traditional electrification, as is widespread
> in Europe.
>
> Over the years, I have made quite a number of
> photos in Europe that are basically landscapes,
> but which include an electrified train line.
>
> One of the things that I have noticed is that once
> you get more than a few hundred feet away from the
> railway line, the electrification is basically
> invisible.
>
> So, one of the arguments that cannot be made
> against electrification is that it is somehow
> visibly objectionable.
>
>
> Oh, yes, as the letter mentions third rail.
> Anyone who has had anything to do with railroads
> knows that third rail really only works for
> relatively low-speed urban transit. Third rail,
> by necessity has some gaps in it -- won't go into
> all the reasons here -- but at these gaps, there
> are slanted pieces of rail which gradually bring
> the pickup shoes into contact with the rail. At
> higher speeds, you end up damaging or tearing off
> the pickup shoes at these locations.
>
> -- Ernest
This letter has nothing whatsoever to do with the "reality" of electrification, which needs to move forward, at an affordable and sensible pace, where we are ready.... This is all about the politics of the CAHSRA's supposed financial commitment to the US Link funding before they go broke, overspending on the current segment, ludicrous planning expenses, and a needless equipment purchase....
And, it relates to the desire to see the LA-UP Harbor sub/WSAB Light Rail project funded with the bulk of the State surplus funds, by the Olympics in 2028. As opposed to using half of the State surplus funds on backfilling CAHSRA's failed financial commitment. The incompetence and lying from this mismanged over budget taxpayer fiasco has finally pissed off the elected representatives from the other 60% of the States population in Sou Cal...
I also saw a segment of a public affairs program with the Secretary of Tramsportation on a visit hear in CA, and he never appeared to directly reference or mention the "runaway money train" by name... High speed rail was generic, he pointed to the Siemens purchase and the CA connection, with clean jobs, and he spoke mostly (kept carefully "om message") about transit, bridges, highways, aging, safety, jobs... He didn't even get "spaced out" on any of the "altermative reality" "complete streets" bs, except for the generic "environmental" "clean transportation" hyoe.
The revolving door at the CAHSRA is now looking for yet another new management team... And, there will be some kind of infrastructure bill, so the PR push and the political theater will only get better as the summer rolls along....
