I'm Famous!

One day I was looking around on newsok.com and was browsing the Edmond section and I made a comment about Edmond voting to extend the Heartland Flyer rail service. The next day the author of the following article e-mailed me to ask if he could use my quote. My comment is about half way through.

By John A. Williams

Long before sport utility vehicles and stoplights ruled the earth, the railroad and Edmond forged a friendship.
The relationship began in 1887 when Edmond was only a coal and water stop at mile 103 on the Santa Fe Railroad. Edmond's agriculture and trading centered on the railroad. Many of our original streets were named after men who worked for the railroad. The friendship was a beneficial one for both sides for decades, but in the late 1970s, passenger service to and from Edmond ceased.
Now hopes have been renewed for the railway's return. This week, city council members approved a resolution supporting the expansion of Heartland Flyer service through Edmond and on to Kansas City.
Shelva Sleeper of Edmond said she would welcome the return of rail service. "Yes, I certainly would ride the train. We have a daughter in Frisco, Texas. A train would make it possible to visit more often, plus the grandsons love trains. Come on Edmond — get the train,” she said.
Ann Griffith of Edmond said she would love it if train service were extended to Kansas. "I have family in Wichita and Kansas City and would get to visit them more often. However, I'm 75 years old, and I doubt this will happen in my lifetime. This kind of progress takes a long time to realize. When I was a little girl living in Winfield, Kan., I used to ride the train to Kansas City to visit my grandparents. It was great,” she said.
"I was hoping that 9/11 would encourage our nation to develop our rail system into something like the Europeans have. You have probably guessed that I don't like to fly. I know several people, even young ones that prefer to drive when possible. But, that limits the places you can travel to. I hope the expansion of the route is successful,” she said.
But Jeffrey Hale of Edmond said he would rather see commuter train service. "Look at Salt Lake City's commuter train set up. It is wonderful,” he said.
Aaron Welch said he also would use commuter service. "Make it happen, I would ride daily from Edmond to Norman just to go to work,” he said.
Northern Flyer Alliance supporters estimate the cost to expand the service to Newton, Kan., would be about $5 million. Edmond also would have to commit to build a station and provide long-term parking to serve passengers.
I rode the Heartland Flyer a few years back. I thought the trip was pleasant and the service was good. Another alternative to the high-cost of fuel could be a welcome relief for travelers as long as the tickets stay at a reasonable price. But it will take a major shift in our thinking to give up the freedom of having a set of wheels to take us where and when we want to go.