Date:         Sat, 15 May 2004 09:03:20 -0400
Reply-To:     tmiller <tmiller@VCMAILS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         tmiller <tmiller@VCMAILS.COM>
Subject:      Re: Diesels on NPR
Comments: To: Steven Dodson <steven@EPOCHDESIGN.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CHEMIOFEMIHINDCEBODPKELDDIAA.steven@epochdesign.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I agree with you Steve.  When I visited Wilhelmshaven, Germany in the
Navy, I went where ever I wanted to on a train!  I never enjoyed
traveling around as much as I did there.  I wished for the same
convenience back home but alas, the Golden Rule applies.  Those with the
gold (the automakers) killed mass transit to sell more cars.  Very few
cities have trolly cars anymore.  And going on a trip by train in this
country isn't very practical.  You might as well drive, which is what
the automakers want you to do!
TEMiller

Steven Dodson wrote:

>Don had the answer; we need a good, nation-wide mass transit system.
>Even if each one were state run and connected together, like the European
>system, we'd get more than half the cars off the road. It would save all the
>wear and tear of daily driving on our Vanagons and keep them in better shape
>for camping and adventures.
>
>A statement was made about using animal fat. Fact is animal fat makes a pour
>and dirty fuel.
>I'm not saying it doesn't burn well; the problem is it's very sooty, just
>like petrol-diesel. Maybe because it comes from an animal (dino) base like
>crude. It also makes a pour fuel because it solidifies at room temperature.
>Bio-diesel suppliers in CA have at times laced theirs with small percentages
>of rendered grease (because it's free), making the fuel unusable at temps
>below 50F without custom fuel heaters.
>
>There will always be those who love gas and those who love diesel. The
>problem here in the USA is we love our cars too much. We need to get past
>that and learn to love the earth (and mass transit).
>
>-Steven Dodson
>Kneeland, CA
>"Inga" the 87 Syncro
>
>
>
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