Re: NNG Another Roundhouse bites the dust

Hi,

Although not a roundhouse, this theme of railroads being for profit and them wanting to get ride of excess items is not new. When tax laws concerning business and the railroads were made, railroads were the ONLY way to travel. Since they were cash cows, governments taxed and taxed the railroads. Even after the railroads had truck and airplane compitition, the government momentum continued to tax railroads as though they were monopolies (aside - think ICC).

Southern had a double track mainline between Atlanta and DC which was pulled out during the 1950's since land without track was taxed at a much cheaper rate than land with track.

How many recall Potomic Yard in Alexandria VA? The GG1s, steam and diesel of the PRR and steam and diesel of Southern, B&O, SAL, ACL, RF&P all were all there with the classification of freight trains right downtown. Today it is an industrial park with the railroad mainline on the west side of the old yard location.

How about Denver's main classification yards no longer being there and much of the land coverd by Coor's field and parking area?

The roots of business (for railroads) go back to the original B&O in about 1832. It was about ways to make money and moving goods and passengers faster and/or cheaper than other ways. SO the very recent Tea Party has little to do with the business of moving goods and people effeciently. Maybe the Tea Party did effect a little bit of the reason for the razing of the roundhouse but railroads are not in the business of history.

If they were, we'd have the Best Friend of Charleston still running alongside a modern diesel and GG1s would still be running along side a 2-4-0 named Montezuma.

If this were the case, then the need for roundhouses and other support facilities would be needed and not allowed to become unsafe.

Food for thought.

Doug vV