HSRAC - Kickstarter Campaign

Friends;

Many of us are aware and know that the current passenger rail system in the United States is not exactly living up to systems that are seen throughout the world. 

The High Speed Rail America Club is a group chartered within Florida International University and aims to bring high speed rail to the United States. While admittedly such a system is difficult, costly, and takes time to execute, it is NOT impossible, and quoting university president Mark Rosenberg, we as people have the power to "Turn the Impossible to the Inevitable".

Our main goal at the moment is to produce a documentary that highlights the current state of rail travel in the United States and what can be done to improve and bring it up to High Speed standards. We would like to film our documentary on and revolving around present day passenger rail, while discussing within the film and later focusing on and cooperating with prospective systems such as All Aboard Florida, which we know that service should start soon. While it won't immediately put high speed rail on the market, at least it will inform, educate, thoroughly clarify, and ultimately convince the viewing public to promote progress to national rail travel, eventually leading to establishing HSR in the US. 

But to film this documentary is more easily said than done.

The hurdles that stop us from making this happen are among the following - logistics, travel expenses, camera and post processing equipment. 

This is why we have a Kickstarter campaign. We are asking those who are interested and willing to support a brighter future for US Rail Travel for a donation so that we meet our funding goal. As of now, which is three days into the campaign, already $190 USD has been raised out of a minimum $1500 base goal. We have established stretch goals so that with more support, our project can be better implemented. Our deadline is August 3, 2014.

The campaign page can be accessed here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1682189695/the-american-train

Thank you for your support

Santeria on the Lehigh Spur & O721-11

Miami is known for it. Chicken sacrifices placed spiritually on a set of railroad tracks, with a Cuban person's bad luck and the expectation that the train crew will pick it up. Now what makes this case particularly interesting is the fact that the chickens I saw are not covered.

It is without a doubt gross to catch one of these sacrifices in plain view. But historically and sociologically, it is utterly fascinating. When spotting on Tuesday, Dec. 11, I managed to see these while running after O721-11, the Sterling Switcher. Belief has it that the crew of Y322-10 ran the chickens over.

For more information: http://www.lancemindheim.com/lore.htm

Note: O721 had 1 for ProBuild, 1 for Seal-Tite, 1 for Cemex (loaded) and about 15-20 CYDX empties.

Industry Update for Fort Lauderdale-Pompano

BrickAmerica and Allsteel/Gypsum were dead last week (7/4-7/8)... But it looks like Q453 is to the rescue with 6 coil cars for Allsteel/Gypsum, the only recipient of such in south Florida!
















Meanwhile Home Depot had a couple of 60 footers in sight.

The above industries I mentioned are all worked by O717 and it is critical to know of activity. I am really only including Allsteel out of the three but the other may see placement in an extended layout.

Updated Layout Specs

Note that this layout's design is subject to any change at any time.

Phase One
TRANSFLO

This should be done by fall of 2011 but the table should be installed by summer 2011.

It will have the ethanol house tracks and team track. I can't wait to buy the materials for the flyover!

F05 should come out interesting as well. Look for the industrial buildings to be rendered as a backdrop.

Instead of Homasote which is hard to get I feel Plywood is a viable material as there are no noticable rivers that will interfere with this design. The new river is not to be rendered yet until I maybe find more space.