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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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.
I really like seeing a government document arguing that we need to make our cities more walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly.
If only the government would actually go and do it instead of making 164 page PDFs on why they should do it.
Currently thinking about the old Penn Station in #NYC. I'd seen the exterior and waiting room before, but I never really looked to much into it. The waiting room alone was almost 15 stories tall. The concourse was arguably even more impressive. The floor of the concourse was partly transparent to allow light onto the underground #train platforms below, and a large open area allowed sunlight directly onto the train platforms. The architecture was truly impressive too.
I finally decided to purchase a cargo #ebike for myself. I've been riding it for a little while now and it's been amazing. I rarely rode my #bike before and now I'm trying to find excuses to ride more often.
I'm planning to use it primarily to get groceries since I don't own a car.
The Budd RDC (Rail Diesel Car) was a diesel multiple unit built between 1949 and 1962. They were particularly useful for rural passenger service with low traffic.
Technically, the Budd RDC also holds the US #rail speed record because the New York Central thought it'd be fun to just strap two jet engines on the top of one.
I really wish we still had these Budd RDCs or something similar today for many routes which can't justify a larger #train but where a single car would be perfect.
A century ago, this photo was taken in Haubstadt, #Indiana. This town had both a #train station and #electric #interurban service, with a population of less than 700.
Now it has over 1,600 people, but has no service of any kind. The station and several of the buildings in this photo are now gone or empty.
Even major cities with populations in the hundreds of thousands sometimes lack basic #rail service. It's painful how much we've lost.
