Is this a fair portrayal?
Or is it a misleading stereotype?
If not, then usually its a "dumb" redneck.
Sounds like Stereotypes!
Its because they are mysterious and they drive on the roads all day and night..
Just guys with wives and families hauling cargo.
I've never thought about how Hollywood portrays people who drive trucks for a living.
ac_dunno
Can't get that "Duel" trailer link here - This should work
It is a nonstop constant terror flick
Here's the full thing - 1 1/2 hrs - Best download soon as it may disappear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM6gh70DN_k - grab it before it's gone
Quote from: "JOE"
Or is it a misleading stereotype?
As long as they don't portray locomotive engineers as psychos, I don't care.
They aren't?
:wink:
Quote from: "iron horse jockey"
As long as they don't portray locomotive engineers as psychos, I don't care.
Usually the train operator is portrayed as looking nearly asleep, then suddenly startled upon seeing someone/something on the tracks lol :laugh:
If I learned anything from them movies, is that y'all need a special coffee pot built into that thing as you're going down the tracks :roll:
Quote from: "Blazor"
Quote from: "iron horse jockey"
As long as they don't portray locomotive engineers as psychos, I don't care.
Usually the train operator is portrayed as looking nearly asleep, then suddenly startled upon seeing someone/something on the tracks lol :laugh:
If I learned anything from them movies, is that y'all need a special coffee pot built into that thing as you're going down the tracks :roll:
We have a coffee pot/kettle, fridge, microwave, air con, toilet and air ride seats inside the cabs of road locomotives.
It's easy for movies to make this work, from the viewpoint of the general public not really being able to even see who's driving.
Duel utilized this. You couldn't see the driver... that was paramount to make that movie work.
Also, big trucks are intimidating. Well, not so much the new ones, but the old ones (like mine), are fairly intimidating, with hoods that are over seven feet tall... Trucks can do a lot of damage.
And of course, the highway cowboys of old... The meth snorting, prostitute killing trucker may have existed, but they were rare then, and even rarer now. Don't forget how many people are employed in this industry.
Then again, it only took one clown... John Wayne Gacy clown, for Stephen King to pick up on that, and ever since Gacy/King, clowns are 'questionable' now also!
Hollywood is what it is! It's not hard to build up a stereotype, for the masses, from something that many people may not know much about.
Quote from: "iron horse jockey"
Quote from: "Blazor"
Quote from: "iron horse jockey"
As long as they don't portray locomotive engineers as psychos, I don't care.
Usually the train operator is portrayed as looking nearly asleep, then suddenly startled upon seeing someone/something on the tracks lol :laugh:
If I learned anything from them movies, is that y'all need a special coffee pot built into that thing as you're going down the tracks :roll:
We have a coffee pot/kettle, fridge, microwave, air con, toilet and air ride seats inside the cabs of road locomotives.
So, they are comfortable.
What is a road locomotive?
Quote from: "Mel"
Duel utilized this. You couldn't see the driver... that was paramount to make that movie work.
Also, big trucks are intimidating. Well, not so much the new ones, but the old ones (like mine), are fairly intimidating, with hoods that are over seven feet tall... Trucks can do a lot of damage.
And of course, the highway cowboys of old... The meth snorting, prostitute killing trucker may have existed, but they were rare then, and even rarer now. Don't forget how many people are employed in this industry.
Then again, it only took one clown... John Wayne Gacy clown, for Stephen King to pick up on that, and ever since Gacy/King, clowns are 'questionable' now also!
Hollywood is what it is! It's not hard to build up a stereotype, for the masses, from something that many people may not know much about.
Good post Mel
While not normally a Weaver fan I found Duel extremely chilling and powerful. The relentless way the trucker just would not quit trying to kill the guy, I can see how some lazy thinkers who never lived in a real world might create a stereotype in their minds
Quote from: "Angry White Male"
Forget Stephen King...
Quote from: "Fashionista"
Quote from: "iron horse jockey"
Quote from: "Blazor"
Quote from: "iron horse jockey"
As long as they don't portray locomotive engineers as psychos, I don't care.
Usually the train operator is portrayed as looking nearly asleep, then suddenly startled upon seeing someone/something on the tracks lol :laugh:
If I learned anything from them movies, is that y'all need a special coffee pot built into that thing as you're going down the tracks :roll:
We have a coffee pot/kettle, fridge, microwave, air con, toilet and air ride seats inside the cabs of road locomotives.
So, they are comfortable.
What is a road locomotive?
The newer ones are pretty good. Smaller yard switchers, not so much. But, the hogger is only in that a max of 8 hours. That is if they are not beltpack equipped.
Quote from: "Harry"
Quote from: "Angry White Male"
Forget Stephen King...
Forget Rob Zombie...
Quote from: "Blurt"
Quote from: "Harry"
Quote from: "Angry White Male"
Forget Stephen King...
Forget Rob Zombie... :thumbup:
Quote from: "cc"
It makes for a good movie.
Honestly, we're paid to do a certain job, and that's NOT to kill Weaver.
That being said, I have come close to initiating road rage incidents with people... I have fucking HAD IT with many of these fucking idiots here.
I have left my cab, and have walked up to cars a few times... They sped off. I was ready to put my fucking fist through their window, and they knew it.
I am not some fucking Paki that you can fuck around with... And when they find that out, they leave in a hurry.
I can see truckers getting mean. I used to be nice in my rig, but now I'm willing and able to not be so nice to you.
It shouldn't be this way...
However, I can understand both sides... Here, EI's have taken over the industry, and they are pretty much useless at everything.
The general public expects EI's, which is sad.
THIS is why I get work... I perform the job, and I perform it properly.
EI's fuck around... That's ALL they do. They drive 70 in the 100, if paid hourly... They drive 160 if paid per trip, and blow all red lights.
EI's make it a fucking MISSION to fuck around, every chance they get.
It is their culture.
THIS is why I get work, as a White man in an EI infested industry... The customers request me.
What's an EI?
East Indian...
I am a minority where I work...
Soon all the white guys will finally be gone from Vancouver.
Real Woman would love this, but here's the problem... She HERSELF moved away from here, due to immigrants increasing the costs of housing, and lowering the standards enough, for her to feel the need to move far away.
Quote from: "Angry White Male"
That being said, I have come close to initiating road rage incidents with people... I have fucking HAD IT with many of these fucking idiots here.
I have left my cab, and have walked up to cars a few times... They sped off. I was ready to put my fucking fist through their window, and they knew it.
If you want to get away from people, and still do your job, there are options available in more remote locations.
I'd be pretty sure that Canada would have some wide open spaces too...?
Quote from: "iron horse jockey"
I like listening to the sound of those big diesels.
When I was young, and studying in Sydney, I used to at the train home to my folks. Back then the line wasn't electrified, and the carriages on the midnight mail train I used to catch were ancient old things with individual 8 seat cabins running down one side, alongside the walkway. The train was usually so packed that I would climb up on a luggage rack to get some sleep. (I was a skinny bastard back then, and weighed about 60kg).
Anyway, the point is I'd always get to the station early, just to spend some time listening to the loco idling on the track, before it was time to go.
That deep rumble was one of the most beautiful, carnal, primal sounds I've ever heard. Loved it.
Quote from: "iron horse jockey"
We have a coffee pot/kettle, fridge, microwave, air con, toilet and air ride seats inside the cabs of road locomotives.
Oh I figured lol, similar to a big rig. I was just joking about how you guys are portrayed in movies lol.
Hey, as a former pizza guy, Im portrayed as being the "random hook-up" guy upon arrival, or a stoner :laugh:
Quote from: "Harry"
Forget Stephen King...
Both of those are awesome movies. Most Rob Zombie flicks are.
Quote from: "Blazor"
Quote from: "iron horse jockey"
We have a coffee pot/kettle, fridge, microwave, air con, toilet and air ride seats inside the cabs of road locomotives.
Oh I figured lol, similar to a big rig. I was just joking about how you guys are portrayed in movies lol.
Hey, as a former pizza guy, Im portrayed as being the "random hook-up" guy upon arrival, or a stoner :laugh:
A semi truck doesn't have a toilet in it.
Quote from: "Angry White Male"
It shouldn't be this way...
I always have respect for the truckers around here. Give them room and flash my lights for them to get over if they need to. Other fuckers ignore the signal and keep going, but a trucker will normally let you over if you need to. As a driver I know some form of politeness needs to be in order. Cause frantic dashing will cause a wreck. If I see one of them asshats, I keep to the rules of the road, but also make sure they struggle a lil bit to get ahead, then let them over to blow by me knowing a traffic cop is usually sitting up ahead :laugh:
Quote from: "Fashionista"
A semi truck doesn't have a toilet in it.
Not a flushable one, but a lot do carry a portable one.
Quote from: "Blazor"
Quote from: "Fashionista"
A semi truck doesn't have a toilet in it.
Not a flushable one, but a lot do carry a portable one.
That the driver has to empty.
:beurk:
Quote from: "Fashionista"
Quote from: "Blazor"
Quote from: "Fashionista"
A semi truck doesn't have a toilet in it.
Not a flushable one, but a lot do carry a portable one.
That the driver has to empty.
:beurk:
Not neccessarily..
//http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/47231
Quote from: "Fashionista"
Quote from: "Blazor"
Quote from: "Fashionista"
A semi truck doesn't have a toilet in it.
Not a flushable one, but a lot do carry a portable one.
That the driver has to empty.
:beurk:
Lol. My father in-law had one on his boat. He also use to drive a big rig. Im sure someone may have to go number 2 sometime and there not be a store or anything for 100 miles or something. Not good when Chipolte hits :laugh: (I've never had Chipolte, just know the memes lol)
Quote from: "Fashionista"
Quote from: "Blazor"
Quote from: "Fashionista"
A semi truck doesn't have a toilet in it.
Not a flushable one, but a lot do carry a portable one.
That the driver has to empty.
:beurk:
Not necessarily.
//http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/47231
Quote from: "Angry White Male"
Soon all the white guys will finally be gone from Vancouver.
Real Woman would love this, but here's the problem... She HERSELF moved away from here, due to immigrants increasing the costs of housing, and lowering the standards enough, for her to feel the need to move far away.
Um no I didn't.
Quote from: "Harry"
Quote from: "iron horse jockey"
I like listening to the sound of those big diesels.
When I was young, and studying in Sydney, I used to at the train home to my folks. Back then the line wasn't electrified, and the carriages on the midnight mail train I used to catch were ancient old things with individual 8 seat cabins running down one side, alongside the walkway. The train was usually so packed that I would climb up on a luggage rack to get some sleep. (I was a skinny bastard back then, and weighed about 60kg).
Anyway, the point is I'd always get to the station early, just to spend some time listening to the loco idling on the track, before it was time to go.
That deep rumble was one of the most beautiful, carnal, primal sounds I've ever heard. Loved it.
Not even close to the equipment IHJ operates.
Quote from: "Shen Li"
Quote from: "Harry"
Quote from: "iron horse jockey"
I like listening to the sound of those big diesels.
When I was young, and studying in Sydney, I used to at the train home to my folks. Back then the line wasn't electrified, and the carriages on the midnight mail train I used to catch were ancient old things with individual 8 seat cabins running down one side, alongside the walkway. The train was usually so packed that I would climb up on a luggage rack to get some sleep. (I was a skinny bastard back then, and weighed about 60kg).
Anyway, the point is I'd always get to the station early, just to spend some time listening to the loco idling on the track, before it was time to go.
That deep rumble was one of the most beautiful, carnal, primal sounds I've ever heard. Loved it.
Not even close to the equipment IHJ operates.
I know, live near CP Keith yard..
Some of those freight trains are over three kilometres long or more.
We've got some reasonably long trains down here:
I grew up in a coal mining area. Whilst the coal trains aren't as long as an iron ore train, they're not exactly short either. They're about 1.4km (84 x 16m wagons + 3 locos).
They seem long when you're stuck at a level crossing, waiting for them to clear.
I live less than 2km from this train station, and it's the one I use when I need to travel into the CBD. The freight lines also go through the same station, so It's normal to watch them go by whilst waiting for the local service. It's the mainline up the eastern coast and gets a bit of traffic.
Not far from this station there's a railway bridge across the river. It's in our direct line of sight across water, and at night, when the city is otherwise quiet, we have a more-or-less constant background noise from trains crossing the bridge. I don't even notice it most of the time, but sometimes I lay awake listening to it.
But yeah, a lot of our rail infrastructure is crap. It's a national disgrace that for a country so big, most of our rail network is rubbish.
Even in dark territory(OCS) our trains are usually 1.3 miles. Except for turkey trails with one or two customers. North America wide, we use imperial, not metric.
What is wrong with freight rail infrastructure in Australia? Not built for higher speed, longer heavier trains? All our mainline here for both class one railways uses 136 lb rail.
Quote from: "iron horse jockey"
What is wrong with freight rail infrastructure in Australia? Not built for higher speed, longer heavier trains? All our mainline here for both class one railways uses 136 lb rail.
There's a huge range of problems.
I don't know much about the technology, but these are some issues:
1. Insufficient lines. A whole bunch of country lines were closed in the 70s through to the 90s. It's now generally conceded that was a big mistake, but many of the corridors have been sold off and they can't be rebuilt. The line to my hometown, for example, closed in the mid 70s. //http://www.nswrail.net/locations/show.php?name=NSW:Cessnock. The Maitland-Cessnock corridor is now experiencing very large population growth, and there's no train, so the roads can't cope.
2. Not straight enough - most routes haven't been straightened since they were built in the 19th century.
3. Lack of national standards - different states use different gauges except for main lines between capital cities.
4. Different states use different electrical standards - some AC, some DC, different voltages.
Both Sydney and Melbourne are about 1,000km (600-ish miles) from Sydney. The travel times by train are about 14-15 hours (Sydney-Brisbane) and 13-14 hours (Sydney-Melbourne). It's a complete disgrace. //https://www.travelonline.com/trains/nsw-trainlink
There has been talk of building a fast train line Brisbane-Sydney-Canberra-Melbourne for at least the last 40 years. I doubt it will happen in my lifetime.
Quote from: "Harry"
1. Insufficient lines. A whole bunch of country lines were closed in the 70s through to the 90s. It's now generally conceded that was a big mistake. The line to my hometown, for example, closed in the mid 70s //http://www.nswrail.net/locations/show.php?name=NSW%26%2358%3BCessnock[%2Furl]2.%20Not%20straight%20enough%20-%20most%20routes%20haven't%20been%20straightened%20since%20they%20were%20built%20in%20the%2019th%20century.3.%20Lack%20of%20national%20standards%20-%20different%20states%20use%20different%20gauges%20except%20for%20main%20lines%20between%20capital%20cities.4.%20Different%20states%20use%20different%20electrical%20standards%20-%20some%20AC.%20some%20DC,%20different%20voltages.Both%20Sydney%20and%20Melbourne%20are%20about%201000km%20from%20Sydney.%20%20The%20travel%20times%20by%20train%20are%20about%2014-15%20hours%20(Sydney-Brisbane)%20and%20%2013-14%20hours%20(Sydney-Melbourne).%20%20It's%20a%20complete%20disgrace.%20[url]https://www.travelonline.com/trains/nsw-trainlink
There has been talk of building a fast train line Brisbane-Sydney-Canberra-Melbourne for at least the last 40 years. I doubt it will happen in my lifetime.
1. CN and CP both closed down or sold many spur lines as customers dried up. I didn't check the link, but I I think you are talking about commuter rail. In a big country like Canada, people don't usually take long train trips. Flying is the way to get there.
2. Freight rail uses the shortest distances between terminals and intermodal yards. This is to save on fuel and reduce overall costs.
3. What? It's 56 and a half inches across the continent, including Mexico. You must mean commuter lines that cannot handle freight trains.
4. Commuter rail again. Freight rail uses diesel locomotives for a lot of reasons.
1. I was talking regional rail. Air travel tends to be unrealistic for a lot of places outside the major cities - by the time you travel to the airport, check in, wait, fly to the nearest major centre, rent a car for the rest of the trip it turns into a 4 or 5 hour exercise for a typical trip to a regional location.
My rule of thumb is that for anything less than 500km I'll drive, over 500km I'll fly.
It would be faster and more efficient if we had a decent rail system whereby we could go by rail centre-to-centre, then catch a regional train the rest of the way. That's a pipe dream. It's not going to happen down here.
I use Europe as the yardstick of how passenger rail should be done. France, Germany, Switzerland - those guys do it right.
2. I was talking about our inter-city lines, that are shared by freight and passenger services. The railway lines were built in the 19th century when tunnels, excavation and bridge tech wasn't very developed. Most of Australia is flat, but the eastern seaboard (where most of the population and industry is) has a continuous mountain range running down it. So, the railway lines (passenger and freight) are not at all straight and this limits speed and adds a lot of time. I'd guess it causes capacity constraints as well -you'd have a much better idea than I.
3. No, I'm talking Australia, not America. 3 different "official" gauges across the country, excluding some private lines that are different again. Some Sydney-Brisbane passenger services require a change of train at the New South Wales/Queensland border. It's seriously messed up.
Here's the Wikipedia page.: //https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_gauge_in_Australia
4. Yes, I was talking passenger rail.
Quote from: "Harry"
//1. I was talking regional rail. Air travel tends to be unrealistic for a lot of places outside the major cities - by the time you travel to the airport, check in, wait, fly to the nearest major centre, rent a car for the rest of the trip it turns into a 4 or 5 hour exercise for a typical trip to a regional location.
My rule of thumb is that for anything less than 500km I'll drive, over 500km I'll fly.
It would be faster and more efficient if we had a decent rail system whereby we could go by rail centre-to-centre, then catch a regional train the rest of the way. That's a pipe dream. It's not going to happen down here.
I use Europe as the yardstick of how passenger rail should be done. France, Germany, Switzerland - those guys do it right.
2. I was talking about our inter-city lines, that are shared by freight and passenger services. The railway lines were built in the 19th century when tunnels, excavation and bridge tech wasn't very developed. Most of Australia is flat, but the eastern seaboard (where most of the population and industry is) has a continuous mountain range running down it. So, the railway lines (passenger and freight) are not at all straight and this limits speed and adds a lot of time. I'd guess it causes capacity constraints as well -you'd have a much better idea than I.
3. No, I'm talking Australia, not America. 3 different "official" gauges across the country, excluding some private lines that are different again. Some Sydney-Brisbane passenger services require a change of train at the New South Wales/Queensland border. It's seriously messed up.
Here's the Wikipedia page.: //https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_gauge_in_Australia
4. Yes, I was talking passenger rail.
My expertise is freight rail. Class one railways do not operate passenger rail. CN and CP both did though until the late seventies, but competition in air travel killed that. Small towns are best served by motorcoach travel that connect to major centres. But, in remote areas they are often more than half empty. So, they reduce the number of times they visit such places to once or twice a week.
CP, where I work, has some of the steepest grades of any class one railway in North America. We have spiral tunnels through the Eastern rockies, whereas CN routed there's through Jasper between mountains and by the highway. They both have similar speeds with similar slow orders.
Quote
That's why we have intercity bus competition in Alberta now..
The previous provincial government ended Greyhound's monopoly between Calgary and Edmonton because that company reduced service to remote Northern communities..
They got tired of losing money on those runs and now there are alternatives between the two largest cities in the province.
I live in a railroad town, Roanoke. Norfolk and Southern railyard is here, but they pulled the corporate office a few years ago. Trains go right near my house too, maybe 1/4 mile away, can hear them when they go by. When I get out on the interstate I can tell they are going 60mph easy.
Quote
SHarry is an idiot and a faggot. Presumably the wanker wants taxpayers to spend billions to acquire land. build roadbeds, install underground fibreoptics. dump millions of tonnes of ballast to accommodate a handful of rural passengers that a few people with minivans could do without spending a dime of public money. It's no wonder the middle class in developed countries is being taxed into extinction.
Quote from: "Herman"
Quote
SHarry is an idiot and a faggot. Presumably the wanker wants taxpayers to spend billions to acquire land. build roadbeds, install underground fibreoptics. dump millions of tonnes of ballast to accommodate a handful of rural passengers that a few people with minivans could do without spending a dime of public money. It's no wonder the middle class in developed countries is being taxed into extinction.
You call everyone you don't agree with an idiot and a faggot. I'm starting to think you are the master of projection.
:crazy:
Quote from: "Herman"
You're making a heap of invalid assumptions there.
The government is already spending billions on road systems that will be overtaxed, again, in the next 10-15 years. That is on top of the billions that commuters and travellers already spend on motor vehicle expenses, and doesn't take into account the value of the time they spend in traffic.
Take any public road system in the world, and it will be heavily subsidized by the government, and hence through taxes. Rail, as a mass transport system, inevitably delivers more bang for the buck.
The problem is exacerbated by the amount of freight carried on the roads. Road freight isn't, and never can be, as efficient as moving freight by rail unless you're talking about relatively short trips to and from a local depot.
The problem is the upfront cost of setting up a railway. In this regard, there is a sliver of truth in your post, particularly with regard to acquiring the land. This is why it's necessary to take a long term position and acquire the corridors, if not build the actual railways before they become necessary.