The service cuts implemented by Metro yesterday illustrate how harmful the actions of MDOT & the Missouri government have been to the health and vitality of public transportation in St. Louis.

Really, the fact that our neighboring state of Illinois funds public transportation at something like 10x Missouri’s level shows just how laughably short-sighted this state’s transportation policy has been. This shows a skewed vision of what St. Louis should become as a city, a trust in the continuation of a cheap-oil-based economy, and I dare say a immoral failure to serve the poor and helpless. For me, the service cuts are an inconvenience to my bike-and-train commute. For others in your community, they are the severing of their freedom of movement.

As the provider of vital infrastructure that serves the state, I request that you do all that is in your power to redirect funding and regulation in a manner that encourages and enables the success of public transportation, even at the cost of a reduction in meeting car-based needs.

Your Constituent,
Noel Weichbrodt

As a side note, I need to start an online list of places to go on a date in Chattanooga. Not that I went on many dates. I’m just enough of a nerd to have planned them out. That said, I am married now, so there’s something to this.

The point is, the Tennessee Valley Railroad is a great place to go on a date. Trains are romantic.

I also fell in love while at the train depot.

She’s a 1919 passenger engine, Made by Montreal Locomotive Works. Entirely unlike my wife, she’s 30 feet tall, black, made out of steel, and runs on steam. Nice lines, though.

I’ve lost control of this post entirely.

The Times Free Press randomly has this cool photo-movie thing about the TVR.

I won two free tickets for another ride as a door prize, and there’s definite plans to use them on a date of my own. With my wife. On a train. Choo-choo!