In Illinois, rail passengers stand up for trains

[marmar]

from Grist:



Watch: http://www.grist.org/article/2010-10-18-in-illinois-rail-passengers-stand-up-for-trains-video/


Trains. People love them. People use them to ride to work, to school, to visit friends and family.

This in spite of the years and years of neglect and underfunding of our nation's rail system. Not to mention the current political atmosphere, in which many Republican politicians are opposing the Obama administration's plans to build more railroads.

The Midwest High Speed Rail Association recently launched a campaign called Stand Up for Trains, and made this little video asking riders in Illinois what they wanted to say to government officials about funding rail service. It shows a pretty sweet cross-section of rail passengers.

"I think that government should stand up for trains so that people can get to work. And it cuts down on pollution and congestion in the streets," says one of the women interviewed. Makes sense, right?

http://www.grist.org/article/2010-10-18-in-illinois-rail-passengers-stand-up-for-trains-video/

[xchrom]

1. that was awesome -- and i love trains. nt

[marmar]

2. Me too......Flying has become a total downer.

A train trip - even the usually-delayed Detroit-Chicago run on Amtrak - is so good for the peace of mind.

[Thav]

3. More trains!

After living in Germany for a year, coming back home and having to drive everywhere really wasn't any fun anymore. I know Europe is smaller, but it was REAL nice to hop on a train and read a book or play cards as we traveled. The only real stress: getting to the station on time. Other than that, train travel was awesome.

We need more passenger trains in the US.

[Pooka Fey]

4. Very cute video. I love trains. K&R