The Transportation Historian

@TransportationHistorian
343 Followers
66 Following
480 Posts

Here I talk about the history and future of transportation (mostly in the US), as well as some other fun facts. I might also delve into urbanism or technology occasionally. Also I have a bad tendency to post late at night.

Boosts should not be considered endorsements (although some of them may be cool!)

I like trains.

#trains #history #transportation #future #urbanism #strongtowns #technology

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The Transportation HistorianJul 9

Wabash #Pittsburgh Terminal

Apparently it was only in passenger operation for a relatively short period of time (1904-1931), but the architecture is really cool.

A lot of old #train stations like this had grand interiors, so I wonder what the interior looked like, but I couldn't find any photos.

The Transportation HistorianJul 2

A few days ago, North Carolina's house unanimously passed a bill to ban minimum parking mandates.

Of course, it still has to pass the senate and the governor, but I hope this will lead to similar bills being introduced in other states.

https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/06/26/parking-lot-reform-north-carolina-water-pollution-house

North Carolina bill to eliminate parking minimums statewide passes House unanimously

A state bill to eliminate parking minimums is gaining broad support.

Axios Charlotte
Show threadThe Transportation HistorianApr 15

I don't believe this is inevitable, or at least, the worst of it can be mitigated. However, the longer *vaguely gestures at everything* goes on, I feel like we're losing the chance.

We need to fight against the terrible things happening before it's too late, not wonder why it happened afterwards.
4/4

Show threadThe Transportation HistorianApr 15

I'm not saying we can't fix things. I believe that we'd be capable and determined enough, but how long would it take?
If there's a recession, economic collapse, or a war what happens then?

How many people will be hurt or even die before we finally decide to fix things? What will be lost forever?
3/4

Show threadThe Transportation HistorianApr 15
If we need foreign aid, would anybody be willing to give it to us after what we did?
Will anyone with a higher education chose to remain here to help fix things after the attacks on research and education? Or will they all have left for better opportunities elsewhere?
Will businesses and industry be willing to make any significant investments in infrastructure or facilities here?
2/4
The Transportation HistorianApr 15
I'm very worried about the future of Ohio and the US as a whole right now.
I mean, obviously there's the very real concerns about the illegal, immoral, and dangerous things this administration is doing right now.
But, let's assume we'll get through this.
Are people going to be willing to engage with the political process anymore? I already knew people who were apathetic about even voting before this.
How much money and resources will it take to undo the damage done?
1/4
The Transportation HistorianApr 15

Apparently the Secretary of Transportation has cancelled the grant for the Amtrak Texas High-Speed Rail Corridor. It sounds like that will kill the project, but I don't know.

We're scrapping efficient rail projects to save a few million dollars while wasting hundreds of billions on highways.

The Transportation HistorianFeb 25
All Aboard OhioFeb 24
“The potential for passenger rail expansion got a nod: https://www.statenews.org/government-politics/2025-02-23/voter-registration-and-passenger-rail-provisions-added-to-ohio-transportation-budget
Voter registration and passenger rail provisions added to Ohio transportation budget

The latest version of House Bill 54, the biennial transportation budget, has Ohio rejoining the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission at $25,000 a year.

STATE NEWS
The Transportation HistorianFeb 22
All Aboard OhioFeb 22
https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/us-transit-is-unacceptable If I had to choose between two methods of travel that took a similar amount of time, but one held me hostage behind a steering wheel and the other allowed me to sit back, relax, and snooze or work or daydream, I would definitely choose the latter. But still, the U.S. can clearly do better.
US Transit is Abysmal and Unacceptable

America’s air safety crisis, our automobile-congested cities, and our lack of high-speed rail and other options make getting places a real (and dangerous) pain in the ass. We desperately need safe, efficient, and enjoyable public transit.

The Transportation HistorianFeb 22

Trains are the most efficient, adaptable, clean, and financially sustainable method of transportation. Trains are faster, safer, and more reliable than cars, all while car-centric infrastructure is bankrupting us.

BUILD
THE
RAIL

#BuildTheRail