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When people commute to work on the train, they would never think to thank F.S. Lathorp. Although his name can't be found in many history books, F.S. Lathorp, an eminent citizen of Madison, New Jersey, made the suggestion in 1841 to the Morris and Essex Railroad that they sell him a ticket for a year's worth of unlimited rides to and from Newark, New Jersey. At the bargain price of $100.00, he unwittingly became the first rail commuter in history. Since that time, millions upon millions of people across the earth can call themselves "passengers on a train." It has changed the face of the world. The train has been used as a metaphor for the Industrial Revolution. Some feel it has disrupted society more than any other invention. Yet among all transportation alternatives available in the 20th Century, the train probably comes closest to balancing the economic and ecological concerns of the next millennium. People today read, write, sleep, daydream, window gaze, eat and chat much as they did in the 19th Century. In an increasingly hyper world, trains allow us to travel rapidly while allowing for a few moments of valuable reflection.
Today, the train has taken a backseat to the automobile. Amtrak advertisements implore us to "take the train" -- a slogan more apologetic than persuasive. Commuter trains and the light rail are making a comeback, but can only succeed with interested participation from citizens and local communities. RAILROADS TODAY by Paul Canniff There are only a few major railroads which account for most of the traffic in the U.S. and Canada: Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern and CSX. In the last five years, Southern Pacific was acquired by Union Pacific, and Burlington Northern and Santa Fe merged. Conrail, the major northeastern US railroad, is currently being divided up between Norfolk Southern and CSX. This has resulted in some problems, such as the traffic jams on the newer, larger Union Pacific over the past year. But there has also been a steadily decreasing cost of rail shipment and a not-so-steady, but real, reduction in the delivery times of products by rail. There are many operational railroads left, even without counting tourist railroads. There are a few large multi-state railroads like Wisconsin Central and Kansas City Southern, and hundreds of tiny ones like Ballard Terminal. Many smaller railroads are owned by parent companies who manage a dozen similar facilities, like Montana Rail Link. These short lines are the natural response to the big railroads attempt to divest themselves of smaller, less profitable markets: somebody steps in as long as there is money to be made! They are a symbol of entrepreneurial spirit. And yet, for most of us, there are only four ways to personally experience "real" train travel. Commuter travel, which gives some flavor in its stations and track side views. Tourist lines, which give a taste of the older equipment. And most important, Amtrak and VIA, which have the last overnight long distance passenger trains in the U.S.and Canada. For those who are interested in passenger travel specifically, go to the National Association of Railroad Passengers at http://www.narprail.org/, They are a very active group that is always fighting to maintain and improve this way of travel. To find out more information about railroads, go to www.railroad.net, or the Federal Railroad Administration at www.fra.dot.gov/index4.htm.
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