From the Altamount Press discussion board - Ken


Did anyone else see this?
-Justin Funn



Washington DC
April 1, 2017

New Executive Order to benefit Railroads and Coal Industry

In a follow-up to Tuesday’s Executive Order defanging his predecessor’s Clean Power Plan, President Trump signed a new order mandating U.S. railroads return to the use of coal burning steam locomotives built in the country.

“It’s all about jobs, jobs and more jobs,” said the president, “and we can all take national pride in images of steam engines pulling carloads of products made in the good ol’ U.S.A.”

The order will require railroads to purchase American made equipment using domestic raw material such steel ore from the upper midwest. The action will require the rebuilding of the steel industry which was once prominent in rust belt states.

The announcement bodes well for coal producing communities as until the introduction of diesel technology in the middle of the 20th century, railroads were the country’s largest consumer of coal.
A railroad executive gruffed at the announcement, “Entire new infrastructures will be required. Coaling stations, water towers, roundhouses etc will be needed and thousands of people to work in them.” Small railside towns, previously by-passed by diesel locomotives, will be reborn with renewed economic activity.

At the moment, the administration is considering a follow-up action of requiring the use of friction type of bearings on railroad equipment which will result in even more railroad jobs.. Said an White House official, “We will be facing an uphill battle returning to full-five member train crews. Additional action will just have to wait.”.

Financial incentives for the railroads will come from Federal Highway and Airport funds. President Trump boasted, “American railroads of the early 20th century were once the pride of our infrastructure..privately operated and financed. We want to return to that greatness and roll back the decades’ unfair practice of federal investment toward competitors such as trucks and airlines.” His comment echoed previous statements of nationally privatizing highways and airports.

At the end of today’s public announcement, President Trump remarked “I like Choo Choos and together we will make America great again!”

Not just steam--how about Tier 0 first generation diesels? This was in today's Parade magazine section in our local newspaper.

Then Why Is Anderson Still at the helm?