Omaha Forums

Greetings, I hope you can join Omaha Streetcar at its second annual Streetcar Social on January 16th at the JLofts Sales Center (12th and Jackson).  Doors open at 6pm.  There'll be food, beverages, and festivities, so come join us to kick off a new year.   Gerald W. Kopiasz Omaha Streetcar http:/...

First and foremost the station needs to be what it was originally intended for: Being a transportation gateway.  The current Amtrak station would be appropriate in a much smaller community, however this is Omaha, and Omaha needs an appropriate gateway for our rail passengers.  We've made many grea...

Driving across the South Expressway viaduct over the tracks, I noticed a building being constructed to the west (just north of the Ready Mix plant and BN tracks).  It appears to be a warehouse or distribution center.  Anybody know what's going up?

Gerald

<<Oh, and perhaps it also has something to do with UP having a huge chunk of it's revenue coming from hauling coal... you think it's possible they have any influence on the OPPD/NPPD boards?>> Hahahaha...I love conspiracy stories!  I'm just wondering how the grassy knoll fits into all of this... Ge...

The other day while getting a quick bite to eat on Broadway, I noticed the demise of the Shady Hollow trailer park.  The remains of the trailers were in a pile, evidently waiting to be hauled off to Alters.  I have always been struck by the name of this trailer park.  I figure the demise of Shady Ho...

Anybody know anything about this?  Seems like it could be a good infill project.

http://www.heartlandproperties.com/deta ... ls=8002392

Here's an interview between Reuters and Amtrak's President, Alex Kummant that sheds some interesting light on this subject: http://www.reuters.com/article/inDepthNews/idUSSIB27628520080612 By the way, when Alex was first brought in to run Amtrak, I had serious doubts.  However, the proof is in the ...

Actually, Amtrak commenced operations in May of 1970.  It was created in a time where the rail industry as a whole was on the brink of nationalization.  Amtrak was one initiative amongst several that was designed to turned the rail industry around.  At the time, the railroads had an option to par...

No, that is an entirely different ballgame.  Look for more details on the transit side as we go along, though I don't believe anything will be decided in the immediate future.  Hopefully we will see an eventual overhaul with FTA's Small Starts program to support the ongoing streetcar rebirth. Gerald

Speaking of Fremont, has the status of the former CNW freight depot changed?  I know for the longest time, it sat for sale.  The building would make a nice railroad park, much like Rochelle, IL and other communities have done at prominent railroad junctions.


Gerald W. Kopiasz

That's right, there is the prototype battery powered car from Kawasaki.  There is talks about a buried third rail system, which has yet to make it off the drawing board.  Of course there are cable cars, which at one time Omaha featured some, but has yet to make it to a modern application (besides ...

Boy where do I start.  Since my time is limited at the moment, I'd like to take a few moments to discuss technology.  People ask me why not a monorail?  Why not PRT?  Why not maglev? ...and on down the line.  The problem with such technologies is they are not proven.  The implementation of tra...

Just a reminder the Streetcar Social is tomorrow.  It is shaping up to be a great event.  Food and drinks will be available.  There will also be a live auction.  Some of the items include a omahastreetcar.com front page sponsorship, jewelry, an art sculpture, some streetcar items, and timetables...

Anti-progress??? That's interesting.  Fact of the matter is Omaha Streetcar has board members and general members that fall on both sides of the fence therefore I would highly recommend that you do not over generalize.  I can't dictate to my members how they should support certain issues, unless i...

...is now closed!  There's a sign in the windows saying they are going to relocate to 72nd & Sorenson.  Seems sudden to me.

Gerald

Well, unless they're complete morons, they'll probably move into the left lane and pass the stopped streetcar, like they do stopped MAT busses. Hmm... if you scroll back to the pictures of the Portland streetcars, by moving into the left lane you'd run smack into the rear of the streetcar!  (The to...

Rebuild Hwy 36 as Interstate quality from I-680 to US Hwy 275 and you've got the northern part of the beltway. As for all the through traffic on I-80, an easy to reduce it would be to build out US Hwy 30 as 4-lane (2 each direction) from the Iowa border to Grand Island.  With this option, why would...

Rebuild Hwy 36 as Interstate quality from I-680 to US Hwy 275 and you've got the northern part of the beltway. As for all the through traffic on I-80, an easy to reduce it would be to build out US Hwy 30 as 4-lane (2 each direction) from the Iowa border to Grand Island.  With this option, why would...

Rebuild Hwy 36 as Interstate quality from I-680 to US Hwy 275 and you've got the northern part of the beltway. As for all the through traffic on I-80, an easy to reduce it would be to build out US Hwy 30 as 4-lane (2 each direction) from the Iowa border to Grand Island.  With this option, why would...

Not sure when the 3985 will be back up, but having a steam locomotive down for several years in this day and age is fairly routine, especially when the folks that work on them are also the folks that operate them...lots to do!   The E's are still out there.  If you're in the right place at the rig...

Anyone know why the challenger hasn't been through in 3 years? I believe it's down for repair if my memory serves me correctly.  Until 2005 the 844 was down for a few years receiving one of the more thorough overhauls in its life.  The 3985 (Challenger) racked up a few miles during that time (I r...

What if we want streetcars but we are tired of hearing about why we need them and just want them built? My recommendation is to keep talking cause there is still a lot of ignorance out there.  I love this forum, cause the people here can see the vision and what streetcars can mean to Omaha.  So w...

Greetings, Please join the members of Douglas County Sheriff Lodge #2 in a fund raising effort for the family of Deputy Shad Nicks to be held Tuesday May 15th 7:00pm at the OPD Union Hall 13445 Cryer Ave (behind the Outback). For those unable to attend who wish to donate, a memorial fund has been se...

How about Kraft DC building on 16th?  It is a fairly good sized, multi-level structure that has enough room to the east for parking...

Gerald

In conjunction with the St. Patty's Day parade, we'll have a street demo at 10:30am on the southwest corner (Little Kings' corner) of 12th & Howard.  Come join us to hold Omaha Streetcar signs, chat, recruit some new members, and have a good time!  Afterwards, we'll have a little social at one...

Greetings, On Tuesday 12/19, Omaha Streetcar will be hosting the Pro Streetcar Rally to be located in the restored lobby of the grand Paxton building, which is located at 14th & Farnam.  The event will run from 5pm to 7pm.  The purpose of this event is to cap off a productive year, and to allo...

Greetings,

Just letting you know that Omaha Streetcar has a public survey that is live at http://www.omahastreetcar.com.  We'd love to hear your opinions, so fill it out...it is pretty quick!

Thanks,
Gerald W. Kopiasz
Omaha Streetcar