Between Hood River and the Dalles. http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-n...in_derails_near_hood_ri.html#incart_big-photo Bakkan Crude heading to Tacoma. The PacificNW railroads facebook page is filled with people already mad at what the environmentalists will say (or even suggesting they did it) What a wonderful response to what is an undeniable environmental tragedy. Thankfully no one appears to have been injured.
That looks nasty. Hope they can get it cleaned up ASAP. I am someone who loves trains very much, but I really don't want to see more oil or coal trains in the Pacific Northwest, not only for the most obvious reasons such as oil trains derailing, but I fear for the long term effects on the area. One oil train derailing is bad enough, but what will happen if there are more derailments? I understand railroads are a business, too, but they must be good neighbors and willing to take into account situations just like this and how it affects people living in the area. Here's hoping that the UP is doing just that. I live in Vancouver, and there has been a lot of discussion over whether to allow an oil terminal in the area. Myself, I'm against building that terminal, but I know there are others who are not. They talk about the jobs it could bring, but I can think of many other ways to bring needed jobs to Vancouver and the rest of Clark County. Of course, the railroads stand to gain because the terminal will bring them business, but have they thought of those possible long term effects on the Columbia River and those who depend on it for their lives?
I have to say, those reinforced Tar Sands cars mandated by Canadian law filled with oil that's already had the volatiles removed are a much more comforting sight going through Roseville than a train of ricketty dot111a's from bakken.
I am in no way trying to be a smart a... or start a flame war. I am a railroader and I would like to know what your job ideas are. How will you replace my current salary, benefits and seniority? There are tens of thousands of railroaders in this country, Canada and Mexico that depend on the railroads for their own and their families livelihood and wellbeing. Again, I am not trying to start a flame war. I don't like these derailments anymore than anyone else. I would leave railroading in a heart beat if I could maintain my path to retirement which is not too far away. To all, please share your ideas.
Have fun walking everywhere in the dark after sunset as well as freezing or broiling as natures whims may be without fossil fuel energy. PS watch out for the horse dropping from the high speed form of transportation.
A lot of noise is being made by the environmentalists about the oil trains. Everyone is worried about a train derailment but nobody seems worried about the dangerous trucks hauling hazardous cargo. The trucks are driven by drivers who are either drunk or on drugs. The drugs allow them to drive for several days nonstop. There are no safety programs for trucks. They are never checked to see if all systems are working properly. Nobody remembers 7 August 1959 in Roseburg Oregon. A truck loaded with dynamite was parked downtown and it exploded. The blast leveled 75% of Roseburg and killed dozens.
