Well, I will disagree in return. A State Capitol IS where the bulk of public and private leadership can and do come together. Where lobbyists and citizens head with ideas. Where short and long term planning is more often masterminded. (Both for light and heavy regional rail.) Where funding needs are so often directed. (Cities and counties often look outward to help pay for their desires- To Guess where? State, and also Fed.) A State Capitol is a place of media focus for getting the word out. Portland may be the largest population, but the Conductor of the train is still going to be Salem. There is where you find the regulatory body. Boxcab E50
But the "conductor of the train" as it were is going to be influenced by the constituency and that constituency is in Portland. The bulk of the population that elects people is in Portland and the 4449 and a beautiful relevant location to have the festivities is IN PORTLAND. National Train Day isn't about elected official awareness, it's about Public awareness. I grew up in Chicagoland and let me tell you, despite the miles separating them, Springfield was well aware and in tune with what Chicago wanted and needed and we didn't need to drive down there to let them know. It was in their interest to know. If the 11 o'clock news in portland shows thousands of people at Union Station interested in Trains, the elected officials will sit up and take notice. And of course, it's not like the State of Oregon has a track record of neglecting Railroads. See Trimet, Street Cars, Amtrak Cascades, Connect Oregon, CORP and Coos Bay... Oregon has done pretty well by Rail transport.
I think we're beginning to over analyze this thing to the point of unnecessarily. The point of National Train Day is to get out there and have some free, family-friendly fun and celebrate America's love of trains (taken straight from the NTD flyer). So wherever you are, do just that. Get out there and have some free, family-friendly fun and celebrate America's love of train
I never even hinted at that, you're missing my point completely. Sorry. We just aren't going to agree. Boxcab E50
I have no animosity towards BMRC. I hope they don't dislike us. We're only fifty feet away, don't you know? Contact me via PM if you want some ideas for contacts. I don't know everyone, either, but on the other hand I don't think I've yet made any enemies in the Portland area model railroad scene.
Sounds good to me! My kids will be excited to see the 4449. They associate it with me and call it the Papa Train. They won't be concerned about which cities have no events. Their event will be right there in front of them.
And the response was that for the vast majority of Americans, something is available. NY, DC, LA, Philly, Chicago, Portland, Sacramento, Miami, Austen,Dallas and Houston Texas, Denver Area, Phoenix Area, Charlotte NC, Detroit. etc etc etc. The vast majority of Americans will have something to go to. Some events are less general interest than others and Not every city is putting on the show that Portland is, but as a portion of the entire population of the US, the number of people with no access to an event is small. And that's to say nothing of Social media on the internet. We at Trainboard are doing our part by making the weekly contest related to NTD. (we might want to spam something for NTD across the board.) I plan to make sure everyone in my Facebook friends list is aware of it.
A lot of the elected officials "in Salem" are actually in the Portland area right now because the legislature is out of session. Hopefully, they will be out tomorrow enjoying National Train Day and thinking of ways to improve rail service, re institute the Pioneer, and so on. See you there!
Perhaps you have different population Density maps than I've seen, but Those big states have multiple festivities and cornerstone festivities. I stand by my assertion. MOST Americans have access to something.
I don't think it does. The point is that there were a lot of events today nationwide for visitors to see, and if people think there are giant holes in the map of events then just see those as opportunities for expansion, e.g., Seattle or Salem area people who feel left out should start planning for next May right now and add their events to the list. Those of us who did attend National Train Day events today seemed to be having a good time.
Every US State Represented on Train Day I just checked the National Train Day website. Alaska does have a train day. I didn't see any state that was not represented. There were over 100 locations I am sure.