Dick Dorn Wrote:
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> #3 SHUT UP Fred says, " I really don't care
> about your political opinions and neither does
> anyone else" Man talk about right on! I get sick
> and tired of reading about other people's
> political opinions which mostly are bashing people
> and a negative diatribe. I agree SHUT UP!!! This
> is a rail forum. If you want politics go to
> another forum.

I have mixed feelings on this. On the one hand, I have read a lot of nasty diatribes and many seem to spin off into areas unrelated to railroading. Such conversations certainly can detract from an enjoyable day of railfanning.

On the other hand, dating back to the nineteenth century, railroads and politics have gone together like Paris Hilton & paparazzi (sp?) and volleyball & California beaches and beer & pizza. In many cases, it is impossible to adequately discuss historic and contemporary rail issues without getting into the politics such as degregulation of the transportation industry, Amtrak, transit and urban planning, overall transportation funding, coal and other energy issues, environmental concerns and even the electrification of the Pennsylvania Railroad in the 1930s and the planning and building of the transcontinental railroad. Going to a political forum is not a satisfactory solution, because in those forums, most, if not all, other participants have little knowledge of railroads.

But getting back to Mr. Frailey's column, here's a good overall rule of thumb when railfanning or just being around other people, whatever the occasion: Many years ago, Athearn produced an HO scale UP caboose with the slogan "Everyone gains where courtesy reigns."

Happy New Year everyone