©2014 Ted H. Schaar
24. Last Leg
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Delayed
Leaving Minneapolis, we again came to a halt, backed up several blocks, and stopped again. Then the train lost nearly all power. Most of the lights were out and the AC stopped working. I was thinking that maybe this would lead to another long delay while a fourth locomotive was found. It was a relief when, after about 15 minutes, we were on our way again. All these delays keep stacking up and it was announced that we wouldn’t make it to Milwaukee until around 8:00 p.m.--we were scheduled to arrive at 2:15. Another
unhappy passenger
A passenger in the observation car was incensed because this meant he might miss his connection to Madison. He vented at the conductor, arguing that he wanted Amtrak to put him up for the night and that he might sue if it didn't. That's ambitious! Paul
Ryan
Attributing the blame for faulty equipment to poor funding, I overheard the conductor say: “Half the people in congress want us to prosper, and the other half want us dead.” Wonder which half is which? Fellow Janesvillian Paul Ryan is a leader of the anti-Amtrak half. A story about Ryan's 2014 Budget plan at the National Association of Railroad Passengers website begins: "The National Association of Railroad Passengers warned that Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan’s proposal to zero out Amtrak’s operating grant would cripple train service for tens of millions of Americans across the nation.”* We have sacrificed much...on the altar of the automobile. |
Demolition of Twin Cities area bridge.
Gloomy Midwestern day.
*http://www.narprail.org/releases-statements--letters/passenger-group-stands-in-opposition-to-ryan-budgets-plan-to-cripple-amtrak
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Photos ©2014 Ted H. Schaar except where noted.