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Transportation Has Evolved, Or Has It?

Most folks enjoy travel, especially if one either gets to travel to a fun, interesting place, or someone else is responsible for the details of traveling. Over the years traveling has evolved from walking, to horse/animal powered travel, to street cars, trains and automobiles, to airplanes and more.

When visiting Colorado tourist often wish to travel up into the mountains. One such travel attraction good for going up a mountain use to be the Manitou Springs Incline. For most of the 1900's the Incline was set of ascending and descending cable cars. The cars traversed the steep eastern slope of Mount Manitou and shortcut one of the steepest segments of Barr Trail. In 1990 the cable car attraction was shut down due to high operational/maintenance costs and basically a limited 6-month (summer) window for funding. From the photo on the left, one might conclude today's safety requirements (and insurance) would amplify operating costs. The cable car conductor would always share an important safety message. He would emphatically state that the cables used were 'super' strong. However, in the oft chance of breakage there were two large springs at the bottom of the incline to arrest our fall. After a pause, he explained those springs were the cities of Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs. Father loved this joke.

Though the incline scar remained the steel tracks and summit house were removed, trespassing hikers would use the incline rail bed as a test of strength, and lung capacity. Twenty years after the last cable cars, hiking the incline became legal. Though the mode of transportation devolved to travel by foot, this hike is popular beyond belief. Reservations are required to use 2,768 steep steps in a 2K foot ascent.

As a side note, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway has pretty much remained in operation (except for 3 years) since the early 1890s. True to its' name tracks with cogs down a center rail assist both safe ascents and descents from the summit of Pikes Peak. For a time it appeared as though operational/maintenance cost would shut down the cog railway. But a 3 year shutdown (starting in 2017), and help from the city of Colorado Springs, has kept this railway operational.

The family Conductor

VICTOR LUND (Husband, Father, Uncle, Brother, Street Car/Trolley/ Tram/Bus Driver and Mason)

Uncle Victor was the youngest of four siblings born to Jens and Petrine Lund in 1893. While Victor was born in the US, his older brother James was born in Denmark in 1890. So there weren't many months in the early 1890's where Petrine wasn't pregnant. And in addition to having children, this family immigrated to Michigan from Denmark. Jens would die in a horrible accident on May 14th, 1901.

Although specific memories of Victor are vague it is thought he had many 'youngest child' traits. He was socially outgoing, happy and generally more carefree and relaxed than his older siblings. Maybe it is not surprising that Victor would ultimately choose a career where there was a lot of interaction with people. He told stories about being a conductor, first on the Denver Tram or Trolley car system, and then towards the end of his career, moving to electric busses (see the photo collage below). As a conductor he had to call out the stops, collect fares and drive. Seems like an all encompassing job, but much of his work was during the heyday (pre-automobiles) of public transportation (the History of Streetcars in Denver).

Interestingly, all the children of Petrine and Jens, except grandmother Christine, ultimately moved to, and lived in California. Throughout most of the 1900's the state pf California was a jewel (natural beauty, climate, and opportunity) of a place to live.

A Wise and Witty Victor

It is supposed that driving/conducting public transportation and all the interactions with patrons would engender a wise and witty personality. Victor could meme a topic or subject before there were memes. He was fun and insightful. An older Victor is pictured here with Mildred (far left), Marie (his wife) and Christine (his sister).

Victor appealed to his nieces and nephews in so many ways. He would get down on the floor to play with us at our level. Even more impressive was his dog, Cookie the Cocker Spaniel. Victor's dog was the first I recall balancing a cookie (of course) on her nose and then snapping into her mouth on command.

Usually the family visited with Victor and Marie in Denver. They didn't live far from Christine's Newport Street home. On one occasion Victor came to our home in Brush, Colorado to help dad build a brick incinerator. At that time residential homes didn't have garbage companies to pick up trash. Trash was burned in a fireplace, or better yet, an incinerator. Victor's visit showcased his masonry skills. Warren proclaimed the finished product as "A might fine Incinerator!"

Ralph Kramden, More Witty than Wise?

Though Uncle Victor and Ralph Kramden (of the Honeymooners) shared occupations in public transportation, they had little else in common, other than being able to make people laugh. I'm not aware that Victor was ever recognized for his driving skills, Ralph received recognition as a Gotham City bus driver. Favorite Ralph rantings:

"You're a riot Norton, a real riot!" was often yelled when Ralph and his sewer working (sanitation engineer) buddy Norton interacted.
"Hardy Har Har" Ralph's sarcastic response when he was outmatched in any verbal argument with Alice, his wife.
"Hamina Hamina Hamina Hamina" a Ralph mumbling when caught lying or in an extraordinarily embarrassing situation.

$100B CHOO CHOO - Hamina Hamina Hamina

Government run public transportation has moved from its "heyday" to "no way". Politicians envision transportation projects, particularly those that fear monger environmental concerns, as the opportunity for modern day graft. At least the political grafting is done exceptionally well. Competence has long been divorced from most government managed infrastructure projects.

The California High Speed Rail (HSR) project is just one of too many mismanaged projects. One might understand from the state website that this HSR project, under Governor Gavin Newsom's watch, is all about jobs and spending money in California. Unfortunately, Gavin's already rich political cronies may be the real beneficiaries. HSR transportation under current management, if it ever is a tangible reality, will be a serendipitous project byproduct.

Denver, like many US cities, has light rail Choo Choo, that is too often devoid of fare paying customers. Like the CA HSR, revenue and ridership were overestimated while operating costs and timing were laughably underestimated. Such is the foundational plan in the political graft playbook. Modern day Choo Choos may never deliver on promises, but the virtue signaling value must be priceless.

If Victor Lund and family were looking to move out of Colorado today, California probably wouldn't be their choice for a new homestead. As political graft has increased, the opportunity of the El Dorado State has dissipated.

A Trackless, Roadless, Choo Choo

Aaron recently had an opportunity to fly a Boeing 737. Michelle knew the pilot and trainer (pictured on the left) and she arranged this opportunity for Aaron.

In reality, Michelle's photo is taken from inside a flight simulator. Though not a real 737, Aaron reported the experience was realistic.

Maybe instead of wasting another $100B on a real HSR, the California authority should set up simulator rooms in cities along the planned route. Public citizens could enjoy a 'realistic' ride on the HSR and the state monies redirected to so many other needs.

Rasmussen Reporter