A train whistle.....can you hear it? Do you remember the excitement of the telephone call announcing that you had a RRE (railroad express) package waiting? Most small towns had a depot, passenger an... View MoreA train whistle.....can you hear it? Do you remember the excitement of the telephone call announcing that you had a RRE (railroad express) package waiting? Most small towns had a depot, passenger and freight service.
The train system was the connector of this country. Farmers were able to sell crops in faraway markets. Children dreamed of a trip. The whistle was the siren call of the city for the youth.
Then came the automobile and planes. Trains were no longer required. Railroads merged and went bankrupt. Small towns were bypassed, depots torn down and rails were pulled up. The whistles went silent and small towns faded.
Now "they" are pushing for high speed passenger service as a "green" alternative to planes and cars. Choices have been made and we can't go back. Speak up, be practical and remember "money doesn't grow on trees".