Dec 20th, 2019 : Recycled Railroads

[xoxoxoBruce]

For 100 years from the mid 19th to mid 20th centuries in the US the railroads were king. They earned the robber barons extreme
wealth and power. They also helped other industries like steel, meat packing, and Sears Roebuck be successful.
They moved the nation west and built grand edifices in their path.



The railroad stations almost guaranteed the success of the city where they were built. Huge buildings to hold passengers and
friends seeing them off or welcoming them, the offices, freight docks, and facilities to run the railroad.
Oh, and the trains, whole trains undercover. They were usually masonry, tall to be seen for miles, and ornate for bragging rights.



In the mid 20th century jet planes siphoned off the lucrative passengers, and Interstate highways bled off the lower classes, so
nothing profitable was left but freight so that’s where they concentrated. They do a great job of it too, moving freight cheaper and
more efficiently than anywhere else in the world. No kidding, they really do.



But that leaves these monster train stations they didn’t need anymore. Places like NYC, or San Francisco where land is so valuable
they can be demolished, but in smaller cities where they already have a problem with abandoned real estate... they sit.



Some smart people have discovered they make a good start on a hotel with a grand lobby and for a unique draw many of them
built rooms and suites on real trains. It’s a lot easier to supply amenities with the train not moving. Of course people staying there
will brag to all their social media friends which is great promotion for the hotels.
I wonder how many selfies have been posted with the big neon Chattanooga Choo Choo sign.

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