Comments on: I wish I were as smart as Jim Bacon http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/12/11/i-wish-i-were-as-smart-as-jim-bacon/ Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:46:25 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Kyle http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/12/11/i-wish-i-were-as-smart-as-jim-bacon/#comment-1357 Kyle Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:15:17 +0000 http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/12/11/i-wish-i-were-as-smart-as-jim-bacon/#comment-1357 I too stand in awe of Mr. Bacon, his superbly insightful articles, and the scholarly discussion that almost always follows. I tried to participate in a discussion several months ago: I spent a good hour crafting a lengthy response to an article and within 30 minutes he and several others had their own lengthy responses to my comments. I really don't know how they keep up with it. I would have to write all day to contribute as much as they do. As for the passenger train debate, I would never expect the CEO of a freight rail line to promote passenger rail (from Galuszka's blog). Passenger service is counter intuitive to freight. The schedules are tighter, people are more demanding than a car full of coal, and why would he want more passenger trains taking up space on his rail roads. he has to make a profit and passegers don't give him that, and in some ways they could cost him money. I too stand in awe of Mr. Bacon, his superbly insightful articles, and the scholarly discussion that almost always follows. I tried to participate in a discussion several months ago: I spent a good hour crafting a lengthy response to an article and within 30 minutes he and several others had their own lengthy responses to my comments. I really don’t know how they keep up with it. I would have to write all day to contribute as much as they do.

As for the passenger train debate, I would never expect the CEO of a freight rail line to promote passenger rail (from Galuszka’s blog). Passenger service is counter intuitive to freight. The schedules are tighter, people are more demanding than a car full of coal, and why would he want more passenger trains taking up space on his rail roads. he has to make a profit and passegers don’t give him that, and in some ways they could cost him money.

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