Many rail fans know that the gauge of the track changes at the Russian border. It widens from the international standard of 4 feet 8 1/2 inches to about 5 feet. I had been told that the reason for the difference was to delay any invading army at the Russian border because, presumably, it would…
I’m just about over a bout with long COVID and, based on my experience over the past couple of weeks, this is something to avoid if at all possible. Symptoms: low grade fever, persistent cough, difficulty sleeping, energy about 10 percent of normal. I can move around without much of a problem, but my normal walk…
This scene has played out multiple times over the years. Perhaps it’s a talkative cab driver, often it’s someone sitting next to me on a flight to the mainland. But it starts when they ask me where I’m headed. It happened again on a flight to Oakland a month ago. Just to make conversation, my…
With very little thought, and without any consideration as to the practical aspects of the scheme, I have come up with an idea that could turn everything around for Amtrak. We start with the fact that food service on Amtrak’s eastern trains today is a disgrace. It’s not just that it’s a frozen dinner ….