Both railroads have executive trains. The route is on tracks belonging to them. Will they realize the public relations value to doing the Marine Corps this big faivor?
They probably do David, but here’s the thing, the Marines should ask them.
And they should do it like this: Send a contingent to CSX and NS headquarters wearing dress blues, and ask for a meeting with the CEO’s of the respective 'roads.
The Susquehanna’s done a “Toys for Tots” train in New Jersey, and still does.
Here’s a video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHIJBAP9l_I
PS: It’s got a rock music background, for today’s railfans I suppose. I don’t mind it but some may want to turn down the volume a bit.
It certainly would be a project with potentially national public relations implications. Toys for Tots has been a Marine Corps charity for some years, and is a terrific resource to provide Christmas toys for those children that might not have a Christmas present.
Here is a link to Charity Navigator and its listing for Marine Toys for Tots Foundation:@ https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4047
With ‘Precision Scheduled Railroad’ I am surprised that CSX still supports the Santa Train through Applachia - with the current management I don’t foresee them taking on any other ‘public service’ projects.
Nor should they, this is a very well funded Charity and I am pretty confident the Marines can find an alternative to fill the gap if they use their jarheads.
Hey! Watch that “jarhead” stuff! You don’t see me using terms like “squid,” “doggie,” or “zoomie” do you? [(-D]
Well anyway, here’s an idea. If they can’t make the collection by rail they can try a nice, big, dramatic “six-by” convoy. That’ll get people’s attention!
Just to note, and add my [tup][tup] to Firelock76’s comments : Thanks to the folks who have supported the ‘TforT’ drives each year for over 25 years…The very reason I added the site from the ‘Charity Checker’ site. The USMC& R units that each year donate time, and interest, and sweat to making the Christmas season, bright for the kids that would not have had such a bright time.
Just to also note: HQ USMC supports another charity, primarily, for the children of the deployed Marines and Navy personnel along the East Coast, each Christmas season. “Gunny Claus” . Each year he’s activated for the Christmas Season, and travels to the bases along the East Coast. His Face Book site is : Gunny Claus; 1st Reindeer Division, Marine Corps Base North Pole [ With the support of other personnel and families at the bases visited]
http://www.gunnyclaus.org
CSX is very adept at laying PR Turds - Looks like Amtrak is emulating this portion of PSR.
I just thought of someone else the Marines could ask, New Jersey Transit. NJT runs from Hoboken to Port Jervis along the old Erie mainline with lots of stops along the way.
NJ Transit could really use the good publicity right now, they’re an absolute mess!
Well, no they don’t; it’s officially Metro-North above Suffern.
But that’s two large agencies that could benefit greatly from the publicity to share the expense…
Well yes, you’re correct, however NJT does run to Port Jervis on Metro-North trackage, just as Metro-North runs to Hoboken on NJT trackage. I was just trying to keep it simple for everyone.
And you’re equally correct Metro-North would benefit from the publicity as well.
CMSP&P: You miss the point entirely.
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Just because a well-funded charity is well-funded should not mean in any sense that they should pay for what another charity gets for free. A charity is still a charity. Funds paid for transportation mean less funds to do good work. In this case the staff is all-volunteer, too.
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I am less concerned about helping the charity, although that is important, then the Damage to the Rail Industry as a whole from this important annual event moving from rail to highway. Soime of these Marine volunteers are going to end up in important positions in industries in civilian life, after their service is completed. Their positive outlook on rail will mean more traffic to rail.
NS’s and CSX’s expenses coujld come from the advertising budget and do more good than any adds anywhere.
Should I write letters to the CEOs of CSX and NS and to Toys-for-Tots?
At least he didn’t use one of the terms Navy Seals use(d) for Marines!!
Does the Marine Corps perform any specialized missions that can’t be performed by any of the other armed forces? After all, they aren’t needed to repel boarders anymore and amphibious operations are invariably performed by joint task forces.
As you know, the Marines are actually part of the Navy. I’m pretty sure there is still a Marine presence on many larger Navy ships.
I suppose you could call the Marines the Navy’s Army (let me get my flak jacket). The Seals notwithstanding, I do believe it’s still a matter of water = Marines, dry land = Army, even if there is some crossover.
Then how do you explain what they do with Harriers and Ospreys?
The Marines close air support.
Regarding the original topic. see both the Trains Newswire and NS James Squiers’ announcement on the NS website.
Thanks for the “heads-up” on this David, I’d missed it entirely.
And thank you Bennett Levin and Norfolk-Southern!
I’d say “raspberries” to “Delta Dick” of Amtrak, but I doubt he even cares.