19th Century Technology

19th Century Technology

Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 2:10pm

Does anyone remember, way back, before Metro, when Seattle Transit ran the buses? All over town: Ballard, the "U" District, Westlake, down town. When they resurface streets, under the pavement your likely to find cobble stones and/or cable car tracks. We've long since abandoned cobble stones as 19th century technology but what about the tracks? Weren't they covered-over because they too were outmoded?

I've used Seattle's new Lite Rail system and for what it is, its ok. It was installed on schedule, at or under budget, had minor impact on property rights (on its current route) and is quiet and fast. When they start pointing the the tracks in other directions, I'm betting the only thing remaining will be 'quiet'. For example, rails cannot cross the floating bridges ,so, east-side access will have to be around the lake. That will probably screw up fast.

I've used Amtrak for trips to Portland and California. Its a leisurely and relaxing mode of travail unless you have to be at your destination on time. Rail transit has been in place for a hundred years or so back east. The Europeans and Japanese have rocket trains. San Francisco and Portland have in place systems. Even Tacoma has joined the party.

Looking again to the past, I think it was back in the 60's when regional thinking was labeled "Greater Seattle". One of my favorite journalists; Emmett Watson reversed the concept to "Lesser Seattle". This was basically an isolationist, exclusionary philosophy - like Oregon; come here to visit and spend your money, but don't stay. Even though ol Emmett is no longer with us, looking to the past for ideas, even ones that may have been good at the time, is still a strong and healthy concept in Seattle.

In conclusion, quoting John Sebastion: "I sure am glad I got a chance to say something about the music and the 'mothers' from Nashville." Hows that for looking to the past?