As a possible category 4 hurricane heads for the coast of Texas, the disaster evacuation plan is being properly implemented. One of our local commuter trains is headed down to Galveston to evacuate seniors who can't make it out on their own. The nice thing about this train is that it's a diesel and can therefore go on any rail line, as opposed to the light rail in Houston and Dallas. This train normally goes between Dallas and Fort Worth, and runs a few miles away from my house.
It can be argued, I suppose, that there's no way we would risk flubbing this one, given the consequences of Katrina, but I don't think that's the case. The governor just implemented a plan that has already been established. Alabama and Mississippi also seemed to have no problems getting their people away from the storm. So what's the difference? Corruption and imcompetence in the Louisiana governments, that's what. But I digress. This post is not to bash Louisiana, although it accomplishes that. I am merely pointing to the greatness of Texas. I suppose it would be prudent to wait until everything goes well and the storm has passed. But that is not the Texas way. Luckily, I can delete this post later if things do go amiss.
Anyway, the Trinity Railway Express has a cool paint job also. Can you imagine the Louisiana flag emblazoned on the side of their train? Or worse, Minnesota's? (Come on, Phil. Now you're just being provocative.)
Yup.
UPDATE: Rita is now a Cat 5 storm, and there's a chance it could still be pretty strong when it reaches Dallas, if it stays on it's projected course. I also corrected my spelling that Erich was kind enough to point out.
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Since the article is on a registration require site (I hate those, but I'm registered on this one already), I'll post the article here.
Trinity Railway Express on Galveston emergency mission
By Gordon Dickson
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
A Fort Worth-Dallas commuter rail line on Tuesday sent an emergency train on a special mission to the Houston-Galveston area to help evacuate senior citizens and other residents trying to flee from Hurricane Rita.
At the request of Gov. Rick Perry, six cars and two locomotives from the Trinity Railway Express left Fort Worth about 2 p.m. today with a crew of four employees for the eight-hour trip to Houston.
About 800 evacuees are expected to board the train, which is capable of holding up to about 900 people.
"We're the only commuter train in this part of the country. We've been asked to respond, and we're going to do it," said Dick Ruddell, president of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority. The agency, also known as the T, co-owns the rail line along with Dallas Area Rapid Transit.
The TRE is the only commuter rail line in Texas and surrounding states capable of responding to an emergency evacuation, Ruddell said. Other cities such as Houston have light-rail service, but those trains cannot run on cross-country freight rail lines.
The TRE is acting under the directions of the governor's office, which is in the midst of its emergency hurricane evacuation plan, Ruddell said.
The Trinity Railway Express, which began operation in 1996, normally offers Monday through Saturday service between the downtown areas of Fort Worth and Dallas.
That service will continue uninterrupted, but the temporary loss of some equipment will mean cramped conditions for Metroplex commuters.
"We're going to be making announcements on the trains, to let people know why it's crowded, and to ask for their patience and understanding," Ruddell said.
The emergency train should be back in North Texas by Friday, he said.
On Tuesday afternoon, Ruddell said he didn't yet know precisely where the train would arrive. The governor's office asked TRE officials to immediately get the train headed toward the Houston-Galveston region, and to expect more precise directions later Tuesday evening.
The train will be using railroad tracks owned by Fort Worth-based BNSF and Union Pacific. The governor's office has asked those companies to give the train high-priority passage, so it won't be stuck behind freight train congestion, Ruddell said.
Minnesota's flag is quite terrible.
Does it get much worse than this?
http://www.50states.com/flag/image/nunst037.gif
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