Those of us living in the back end of no where would like a word with Jimmy. Ireland would *almost* be back in the middle ages, we have less trains now than we did 100 years ago. I would have to jog everywhere.
Yep, I was going to point that out. Rural towns in the US would have the same problem - I live a half hour drive from groceries, pharmacies, doctors, pretty much everything (though the post office is only a half hour WALK away). I do try to keep all the errands bundled together, though.
A lot of us would be screwed. I think it probably points to the fact that big decisions about how we live should not be dictated by only a few. Like the government making policies about public service cuts they have never themselves used!
I was reading Laura, and I am south of Atlanta but with no bus or train. There are states that have a train system already set up but only around Atlanta. Food would not get to the stores and I am afraid the two didn't think this all the way through.
I dare say that there are monumental plans being made right now that haven't been thought through. Living in Central California, we wonder who will be planting, cultivating and picking the vegetables we ship nationwide when the Latino workers are no longer here? Are young American citizens looking forward to taking those fieldwork jobs? Or will our produce be left rotting in the fields? Sorry if that is a bit political, Bill, but it IS a serious concern here. All we can do is wait and see. I hope we are wrong.
Political is okay, Sharron; after all, it affects our lives and we fiction writers are in the thick of politics, too.
What’s to come in America? I don’t know and even though I live thousands of miles away, I care a lot because I have friends and family in America and what happens in the United States affects the world.
An absolute belter … got on at the first station and held on for dear life as it raced down the line. Loved the twist, like the points changed at the last minute to guide us inexorably towards the blocked tunnel! A rattling good tale!
Thank you, thank you. I wasn't sure where this would end when I started writing the first sentence, but I'm happy with how Train Enthusiasts turned out and I'm glad you like it, too.
Can’t help but think back to the original U.S. train entrepreneurs, a.k.a. Robber Barons, who might’ve built something better than AmTrack and cargo trains given the proper motivation.
Thanks, Ira. I'm happy you enjoyed Train Enthusiasts.
America's transportation system could have unfolded very differently. I used to live in Washington, DC and frequently took Amtrak between DC and NYC; it should be a lot better.
This was so fun, where I live the only trains are cargo trains and driving is absolutely horrible. Rip to Zara and Jimmy, maybe just disabling passenger cars would’ve been good enough?
Sure, why not destroy them all? The US and Canadian governments sunk a lot of money into transcontinental railways, then ripped most of them up when automobiles came along. A huge mistake IMHO. It's hard to believe something which was just invented a little over a century ago has become so "necessary" and ubiquitous. At times we didn't even have indoor plumbing, but we had a car. Ridiculous, and their effect on the planet even more so. Instead of trying to force electric cars into an ecosystem that can't support them, we should walk or bike more, and where that isn't feasible, there should be better, more reliable public transport. I can't help thinking the increasing speed and distance of autos is a major cause of the time pressure "civilization" has pressed on us. Oops, I'm on the soapbox again. Sorry. Jumping down now.
I came up with the idea for this story when I was thinking about what America would have been like if we had invested in a national rail system instead of an interstate highway system. Maybe one day I'll write that alternate history.
NZ was/is criss-crossed with a multitude of antiquated railway lines, all with different gauges of track. A crazy way for competition to eliminate their own practical existence.
Wonder away what the Eisenhower years would have made of an interstate railway instead of highway system. Sounds almost idyllic, in terms of transportation of transcontinental goods (edible & toxic!?!)
Those of us living in the back end of no where would like a word with Jimmy. Ireland would *almost* be back in the middle ages, we have less trains now than we did 100 years ago. I would have to jog everywhere.
Their plan had more than a few flaws, I'm afraid.
I've traveled from Galway to Dublin by train and wish there were more, too.
Jimmy got what was coming to him IMHO
He won't be playing with trains anymore, that's for sure.
Yep, I was going to point that out. Rural towns in the US would have the same problem - I live a half hour drive from groceries, pharmacies, doctors, pretty much everything (though the post office is only a half hour WALK away). I do try to keep all the errands bundled together, though.
Zara and Jimmy were a little too enthusiastic, I'm afraid.
She should have let him talk it over a bit more...
A lot of us would be screwed. I think it probably points to the fact that big decisions about how we live should not be dictated by only a few. Like the government making policies about public service cuts they have never themselves used!
It does feel sometimes like life-altering decisions are made by people far removed from the way most people live.
I was reading Laura, and I am south of Atlanta but with no bus or train. There are states that have a train system already set up but only around Atlanta. Food would not get to the stores and I am afraid the two didn't think this all the way through.
I think you're right, Paul. Trains are not going to work they way Jimmy and Zara hoped.
Good story. Though if they'd been successful, we'd be growing our own food.... and heart attacks would indeed become more fatal!
Right? This plan was never a good one.
I'm glad you enjoyed the story.
I dare say that there are monumental plans being made right now that haven't been thought through. Living in Central California, we wonder who will be planting, cultivating and picking the vegetables we ship nationwide when the Latino workers are no longer here? Are young American citizens looking forward to taking those fieldwork jobs? Or will our produce be left rotting in the fields? Sorry if that is a bit political, Bill, but it IS a serious concern here. All we can do is wait and see. I hope we are wrong.
Political is okay, Sharron; after all, it affects our lives and we fiction writers are in the thick of politics, too.
What’s to come in America? I don’t know and even though I live thousands of miles away, I care a lot because I have friends and family in America and what happens in the United States affects the world.
An absolute belter … got on at the first station and held on for dear life as it raced down the line. Loved the twist, like the points changed at the last minute to guide us inexorably towards the blocked tunnel! A rattling good tale!
Thank you, thank you. I wasn't sure where this would end when I started writing the first sentence, but I'm happy with how Train Enthusiasts turned out and I'm glad you like it, too.
True of all the best tales … like a runaway train!
Great ending as usual, Bill. It was so abrupt it took me a minute to get it. Love the irony.
Thanks, K.C. Change can be slow, but for Zara, it was fast.
I'm glad you enjoyed Train Enthusiasts.
Maybe drone taxis (or drone ambulances) may come to their rescue.
On a related note, I've advocated for a vast network of sushi conveyors for Japan.
I like it. Sort of a hyperloop for sushi, right?
Exactly. It would need to be covered, of course, because of the rain, but also because of stray cats.
Neatly written with a neat ending. Nice!
Thanks. I had fun writing Train Enthusiasts and I'm glad you liked it and especially the ending.
Enjoyed the story!
Can’t help but think back to the original U.S. train entrepreneurs, a.k.a. Robber Barons, who might’ve built something better than AmTrack and cargo trains given the proper motivation.
Thanks, Ira. I'm happy you enjoyed Train Enthusiasts.
America's transportation system could have unfolded very differently. I used to live in Washington, DC and frequently took Amtrak between DC and NYC; it should be a lot better.
I tried the San Diego, CA to Portland, OR back in the late 80s. Price was good but you are right, it could’ve been a lot better.
Oh.... darn it. I knew something was forgotten. No police or fire department, either. Unless they switched to bicycles... Rats.
There's going to be a lot of...how to put this?...horse debris on the streets, too.
Good twist!
Thank you, Fran.
This was so fun, where I live the only trains are cargo trains and driving is absolutely horrible. Rip to Zara and Jimmy, maybe just disabling passenger cars would’ve been good enough?
I've read about how long cargo trains can be and how disruptive, too.
I have a feeling that Zara wishes she'd done things differently.
I'm glad you enjoyed "Train Enthusiasts."
Wow I was with Zara all the way until..well, I hadn’t thought of the ambulance. And the police. And the firefighters.🙂
Zara's heart may have been in the right place, but she didn't plan this as well as she could have.
Sure, why not destroy them all? The US and Canadian governments sunk a lot of money into transcontinental railways, then ripped most of them up when automobiles came along. A huge mistake IMHO. It's hard to believe something which was just invented a little over a century ago has become so "necessary" and ubiquitous. At times we didn't even have indoor plumbing, but we had a car. Ridiculous, and their effect on the planet even more so. Instead of trying to force electric cars into an ecosystem that can't support them, we should walk or bike more, and where that isn't feasible, there should be better, more reliable public transport. I can't help thinking the increasing speed and distance of autos is a major cause of the time pressure "civilization" has pressed on us. Oops, I'm on the soapbox again. Sorry. Jumping down now.
I came up with the idea for this story when I was thinking about what America would have been like if we had invested in a national rail system instead of an interstate highway system. Maybe one day I'll write that alternate history.
Good shortie, Mr Bill!
NZ was/is criss-crossed with a multitude of antiquated railway lines, all with different gauges of track. A crazy way for competition to eliminate their own practical existence.
Wonder away what the Eisenhower years would have made of an interstate railway instead of highway system. Sounds almost idyllic, in terms of transportation of transcontinental goods (edible & toxic!?!)
I like riding trains. I guess that's partially because I grew up in New York City, which isn't a car-friendly place.
And are the trains in Japan as super as we're led to believe?
I always thought the Shinkansen was a noble endeavor for people moving!
My Mama had a full length Orient Express on her bucket list... Ah, the romance and grandeur of rail!
Japan trains are pretty good! And fast. I love getting around by train here.
I spent a few weeks in Japan 19 years ago while my son was stationed in Misawa… the trains were darn good way back then!
Riding in cars with the steering wheel on the opposite side kinda freaked me out, though - I sure as heck did not get in the drivers’ seat!
Great story, by the way, Bill!
Is there a schedule for the ambulance line? Fun story.
I'm glad you enjoyed this little tale.
Trains need dining cars, movie cars and hospital cars.
Thanks for sharing this
You're welcome, Vince.
I enjoyed the story. Didn't see the ending coming.
Thanks, Jeff. I'm glad I could surprise you.