Amtrak River Runner: A nice journey along the Missouri River
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Date: 2024-01-09
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Comments and reviews: 35
train
Oddly enough, I've been through KC a couple of times on the Interstate, but not on the train; on the other hand, I've been through STL on the Interstate AND on the train! I saw the KC Union Station previously on one of your other videos, and it definitely is on the list of stations I must visit; it has that timeless, classic vibe that lets you picture movie stars and other celebrities strolling through the hall and standing on the boarding platform!
Surprising and a little disappointing that you had a less-than-friendly interaction with an Amtrak train staff member, but I guess there's always somebody with a burr under his saddle about something. My experience with Amtrak staff was excellent all around.
I agree that it would be great if there could be a rebirth of regional passenger rail service; here in Memphis, Central Station serves only the City of New Orleans, which connects to NOLA and CHI. There's talk of some type of rail service being introduced (make that REintroduced) between Memphis and Nashville, which would be great. Back when I was little kid, we had two stations (Union and Grand Central, which is now just Central) and you could catch all kinds of passenger trains in Memphis, connecting to just about anywhere. Of course, that was at the end of the Golden Age of passenger rail travel; I don't think we'll ever see anything quite like that again, but at least maybe at a limited level.
Thanks for another fun, informative video!
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Oddly enough, I've been through KC a couple of times on the Interstate, but not on the train; on the other hand, I've been through STL on the Interstate AND on the train! I saw the KC Union Station previously on one of your other videos, and it definitely is on the list of stations I must visit; it has that timeless, classic vibe that lets you picture movie stars and other celebrities strolling through the hall and standing on the boarding platform!
Surprising and a little disappointing that you had a less-than-friendly interaction with an Amtrak train staff member, but I guess there's always somebody with a burr under his saddle about something. My experience with Amtrak staff was excellent all around.
I agree that it would be great if there could be a rebirth of regional passenger rail service; here in Memphis, Central Station serves only the City of New Orleans, which connects to NOLA and CHI. There's talk of some type of rail service being introduced (make that REintroduced) between Memphis and Nashville, which would be great. Back when I was little kid, we had two stations (Union and Grand Central, which is now just Central) and you could catch all kinds of passenger trains in Memphis, connecting to just about anywhere. Of course, that was at the end of the Golden Age of passenger rail travel; I don't think we'll ever see anything quite like that again, but at least maybe at a limited level.
Thanks for another fun, informative video!
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-Murican808
Great video,
I now know Amtrak is not as bad as the rap they get (past derailments have played a role. I think the reason why rail ridership is low is because rail travel here in US is so slow. I think Americans would rather drive and have that independence. Speed would greatly help US rail.
1) The stations are not easy to get to. I think for many, they would need to take a crowed bus, or even more than one bus just to get to the station. Then it-s several hours to destination. Hotel may not be near station. It-s for this reason alone I think people would drive.
2) How often do trains like this one come? I believe takes some planning to get on a train like this, you need to choose the time of departure and have to be waiting their at least 15 minutes before boarding. When I went to Japan, the Bullet trains come every 30 minutes during peak hours. They also come every hour normally. Basically I could take one at a whim. No advanced planning needed. If you miss one you take the next one like it-s a normal commuter train. But it-s the fast 180 MPH bullet train.
3) I never knew that Amtrak could be good until I saw your videos. If I haven-t, I probably would have no interest in riding one. Now I think it-s something I would give a try. They need more positive exposure to increase passenger counts.
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Great video,
I now know Amtrak is not as bad as the rap they get (past derailments have played a role. I think the reason why rail ridership is low is because rail travel here in US is so slow. I think Americans would rather drive and have that independence. Speed would greatly help US rail.
1) The stations are not easy to get to. I think for many, they would need to take a crowed bus, or even more than one bus just to get to the station. Then it-s several hours to destination. Hotel may not be near station. It-s for this reason alone I think people would drive.
2) How often do trains like this one come? I believe takes some planning to get on a train like this, you need to choose the time of departure and have to be waiting their at least 15 minutes before boarding. When I went to Japan, the Bullet trains come every 30 minutes during peak hours. They also come every hour normally. Basically I could take one at a whim. No advanced planning needed. If you miss one you take the next one like it-s a normal commuter train. But it-s the fast 180 MPH bullet train.
3) I never knew that Amtrak could be good until I saw your videos. If I haven-t, I probably would have no interest in riding one. Now I think it-s something I would give a try. They need more positive exposure to increase passenger counts.
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-charsbob
My understanding is that someone at Amtrak thought that potential passengers would like an interior that looks like an aircraft - hence the small windows and on some stock the rounded car body. I never thought passengers particularly wanted that, but what the heck. As for stainless steel, for much of Amtrak's existence it has been easier to get capital funding than operating subsidies. So stainless steel, far more expensive than the regular material and much more difficult to weld (hence the large number of rivets. It's a natural outcome when you can get money to buy the cars but money to keep them maintained is hard to come by. It's also useful to know that American regulators (the FTA for those who care) requires that passenger cars absorb 100 K lbs of collision force without buckling. That's a major reason why our cars tend to be a bit clunky by European standards. As for ridership: we're just getting started on a real rail system. Only in the last decade or so have we decided that we really want regional rail. We're still conflicted about long-distance trains. The new Biden Administration seems likely to push hard for more Amtrak funding. so that may materially change things.
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My understanding is that someone at Amtrak thought that potential passengers would like an interior that looks like an aircraft - hence the small windows and on some stock the rounded car body. I never thought passengers particularly wanted that, but what the heck. As for stainless steel, for much of Amtrak's existence it has been easier to get capital funding than operating subsidies. So stainless steel, far more expensive than the regular material and much more difficult to weld (hence the large number of rivets. It's a natural outcome when you can get money to buy the cars but money to keep them maintained is hard to come by. It's also useful to know that American regulators (the FTA for those who care) requires that passenger cars absorb 100 K lbs of collision force without buckling. That's a major reason why our cars tend to be a bit clunky by European standards. As for ridership: we're just getting started on a real rail system. Only in the last decade or so have we decided that we really want regional rail. We're still conflicted about long-distance trains. The new Biden Administration seems likely to push hard for more Amtrak funding. so that may materially change things.
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train
The auto in USA is the most common method of transportation except in the Northeastern part of the country. The NE is heavily overcrowded with far too many vehicles used for transport of goods. The car in other parts of the US is the better form of getting around. EXCEPT the major areas. Major cities have major transportation issues. The USA at last count had something closing in at 344 Million people not including the ones coming from other parts of the world, legally or illegally. This makes a mess trying to drive somewhere. Major cities have some sort of transit. Trains in the USA are the ONLY means of travel like Europe, though I wish it was like Europe. Hopefully, one day in the USA we will have many fast modes of transportation instead of sitting in the vehicle stopped because of traffic.
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The auto in USA is the most common method of transportation except in the Northeastern part of the country. The NE is heavily overcrowded with far too many vehicles used for transport of goods. The car in other parts of the US is the better form of getting around. EXCEPT the major areas. Major cities have major transportation issues. The USA at last count had something closing in at 344 Million people not including the ones coming from other parts of the world, legally or illegally. This makes a mess trying to drive somewhere. Major cities have some sort of transit. Trains in the USA are the ONLY means of travel like Europe, though I wish it was like Europe. Hopefully, one day in the USA we will have many fast modes of transportation instead of sitting in the vehicle stopped because of traffic.
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-samtrak1204
California Here I Come!
I was 14 and headed to California for the first time in 1959. My train trip started in Orlando, Florida and I changed trains at Kansas City Union Station where I boarded Santa Fe's Hi-Level -El Capitan- to LA. I'll never forget that fabulous train and station. When I passed through Kansas City 45 years later in 2004 at 60 most of the colorful trains had gone with the wind and the station had been resurrected as a museum. I missed the hustle and bustle of the busy train station but I'm thankful the grand old building has survived. Thanks for sharing.
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California Here I Come!
I was 14 and headed to California for the first time in 1959. My train trip started in Orlando, Florida and I changed trains at Kansas City Union Station where I boarded Santa Fe's Hi-Level -El Capitan- to LA. I'll never forget that fabulous train and station. When I passed through Kansas City 45 years later in 2004 at 60 most of the colorful trains had gone with the wind and the station had been resurrected as a museum. I missed the hustle and bustle of the busy train station but I'm thankful the grand old building has survived. Thanks for sharing.
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-CKLee-rs4kl
Your review of the train was generous; the entry floors of steel plate made the train look dirty and un-cared-for (also very dangerous when wet) along with a broom in the corner. The panel construction to partition the toilet is a real throw-back to the 1970's. The lack of real food service on trains is so disappointing. Many years ago, I took a morning train from Portland, Oregon to Seattle, Washington. The train had a fully staffed dining car -- it was a real treat to sit at a proper table, set with linens and (diner style) china and to be served a very nice breakfast.
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Your review of the train was generous; the entry floors of steel plate made the train look dirty and un-cared-for (also very dangerous when wet) along with a broom in the corner. The panel construction to partition the toilet is a real throw-back to the 1970's. The lack of real food service on trains is so disappointing. Many years ago, I took a morning train from Portland, Oregon to Seattle, Washington. The train had a fully staffed dining car -- it was a real treat to sit at a proper table, set with linens and (diner style) china and to be served a very nice breakfast.
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-davidlisowski5245
Love watching your videos! With regard to why the windows on Horizon and Amfleet cars are so small, I believe it's in response to young people using the trains for target practice with rocks and other objects. The smaller the windows, the less there is to shatter. If you look at photos of Amtrak locomotives that operated in the east around the time these cars were built, they had metal mesh across the front windscreens to prevent them from being smashed.
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Love watching your videos! With regard to why the windows on Horizon and Amfleet cars are so small, I believe it's in response to young people using the trains for target practice with rocks and other objects. The smaller the windows, the less there is to shatter. If you look at photos of Amtrak locomotives that operated in the east around the time these cars were built, they had metal mesh across the front windscreens to prevent them from being smashed.
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-jimpern
About 10 years ago, -Trains- magazine devoted an entire issue to the future of rail in the U. S. They said that without extensive Federal funding for infrastructure improvements, including much more double-rail, the freight rail network will be at near-gridlock levels by 2030. The Biden government has pledged to spend some money on improving rail; let's see if they live up to that.
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About 10 years ago, -Trains- magazine devoted an entire issue to the future of rail in the U. S. They said that without extensive Federal funding for infrastructure improvements, including much more double-rail, the freight rail network will be at near-gridlock levels by 2030. The Biden government has pledged to spend some money on improving rail; let's see if they live up to that.
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-jakobrudnick1129
Hello, i love your videos and i actually live in lawrence which is about 45 minutes from there, and quick question how long did you stay in kc? I have to say union station is a really beautiful building but unfortunately there isn-t enough rail traffic around here, and by chance did you ever stop in the lawrence station?
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Hello, i love your videos and i actually live in lawrence which is about 45 minutes from there, and quick question how long did you stay in kc? I have to say union station is a really beautiful building but unfortunately there isn-t enough rail traffic around here, and by chance did you ever stop in the lawrence station?
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-schwenda3727
Wonder if a certain recent incident along that particular corridor would help your viewership briefly- hopefully going to KC from either Kirkwood or Washington MO is promising (I-m NOT parking my own car within St. Louis for an entire weekend)- as I-m contemplating a weekend that direction sooner or later-
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Wonder if a certain recent incident along that particular corridor would help your viewership briefly- hopefully going to KC from either Kirkwood or Washington MO is promising (I-m NOT parking my own car within St. Louis for an entire weekend)- as I-m contemplating a weekend that direction sooner or later-
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-terrytc1
The small windows are due to Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rules at the time of development that demanded small windows to stop riders from being thrown out in a crash. They made many overly restrictive rules such as crush strength of the coaches which made American trains much heavier.
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The small windows are due to Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rules at the time of development that demanded small windows to stop riders from being thrown out in a crash. They made many overly restrictive rules such as crush strength of the coaches which made American trains much heavier.
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-johncrawford2131
I trust you rode on the Lincoln Service to Chicago. New equipment is being introduced and sections are now run at 110mph. It is part of the -Midwest High Speed- initiative which means around 120 mph service at a future time. Chicago will be the hub of this seven state service.
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I trust you rode on the Lincoln Service to Chicago. New equipment is being introduced and sections are now run at 110mph. It is part of the -Midwest High Speed- initiative which means around 120 mph service at a future time. Chicago will be the hub of this seven state service.
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-Meela234
It used to be quite popular with children and teens to throw rocks at passing trains. Amtrak started making the windows on a smaller scale to help make it harder for the launched rocks to land blows to the windows. That's one reason for smaller windows.
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It used to be quite popular with children and teens to throw rocks at passing trains. Amtrak started making the windows on a smaller scale to help make it harder for the launched rocks to land blows to the windows. That's one reason for smaller windows.
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train
Thanks for a great review! The Horizon cars which formed your train, were based on a commuter car design, hence the narrow windows. From the appearance of your train, the interior refurbishment has been done to a very high standard.
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Thanks for a great review! The Horizon cars which formed your train, were based on a commuter car design, hence the narrow windows. From the appearance of your train, the interior refurbishment has been done to a very high standard.
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-loveofchrist1840
I agree those seats look quite comfortable, and I must say -luxurious-. I agree the price is a great bargain, you are relaxed when traveling just sit back, take nap, read, and you save gas and the stress from driving!
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I agree those seats look quite comfortable, and I must say -luxurious-. I agree the price is a great bargain, you are relaxed when traveling just sit back, take nap, read, and you save gas and the stress from driving!
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-auzziecrunt8538
I wish the River Runner could get track and station updates so it can be ran more often and faster like in Illinois. It's down to 1 train per day in each direction and it sucks, and this means more expensive tickets
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I wish the River Runner could get track and station updates so it can be ran more often and faster like in Illinois. It's down to 1 train per day in each direction and it sucks, and this means more expensive tickets
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-bretteiskina
Arw you still living in Lee-s Summit! I-m actually from there and headed there this weekend in this very train! I haven-t ridden a train since I was a child even though I-ve been a Missouri resident my whole life
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Arw you still living in Lee-s Summit! I-m actually from there and headed there this weekend in this very train! I haven-t ridden a train since I was a child even though I-ve been a Missouri resident my whole life
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-lizlusher2385
I'm taking my two children on this train soon. Thanks for the video so we know what to expect! I'm surprised there's no viewing car. We had one on the train to Chicago back in '06. That's a little disappointing.
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I'm taking my two children on this train soon. Thanks for the video so we know what to expect! I'm surprised there's no viewing car. We had one on the train to Chicago back in '06. That's a little disappointing.
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-larryclark6212
I want to go once again from Battle Creek Michigan to Toronto Ontario Canada by Amtrak. I know they no longer have a direct line from to Toronto. I guess I'll have to go to Buffalo NY to cross over.
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I want to go once again from Battle Creek Michigan to Toronto Ontario Canada by Amtrak. I know they no longer have a direct line from to Toronto. I guess I'll have to go to Buffalo NY to cross over.
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-dontedrake2316
This trip will be nice for you never been to Kansas City on Amtrak I've been to Springfield Illinois to St Louis Missouri on Amtrak and it's pretty awesome great video keep up the great content
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This trip will be nice for you never been to Kansas City on Amtrak I've been to Springfield Illinois to St Louis Missouri on Amtrak and it's pretty awesome great video keep up the great content
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-seth_deegan
People don-t take the train between the cities because you need a car to get anywhere in the cities themselves in a reasonable amount of time, so at that point it just makes sense to drive.
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People don-t take the train between the cities because you need a car to get anywhere in the cities themselves in a reasonable amount of time, so at that point it just makes sense to drive.
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-SteamboatWilley
Nice well-padded seats. Much better than a Scotrail Class 385, although I would prefer -bays of four- round a table to airline-style seats for a 5 hour journey.
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Nice well-padded seats. Much better than a Scotrail Class 385, although I would prefer -bays of four- round a table to airline-style seats for a 5 hour journey.
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-billlonergan2366
Just watched this one again. Very well done! We like how you cover the stations as well, some of them are beautiful. You-d like the Cincinnati station!
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Just watched this one again. Very well done! We like how you cover the stations as well, some of them are beautiful. You-d like the Cincinnati station!
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train
The next time you visit the -Missouri River Runner, - you will have to stop in either Hermann or Washington and enjoy what #MissouriRiverCountry has to offer!
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The next time you visit the -Missouri River Runner, - you will have to stop in either Hermann or Washington and enjoy what #MissouriRiverCountry has to offer!
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-dogeshorts4991
I recommend the Hiawatha. It is a 1 hour route in between Milwaukee, WI and Chicago, IL. I have rode it 3 times in my life and it is a 10/10
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I recommend the Hiawatha. It is a 1 hour route in between Milwaukee, WI and Chicago, IL. I have rode it 3 times in my life and it is a 10/10
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-dvferyance
This is the remaining remnant of the National Limited which once ran all the way to Washington DC. The line was discontinued in the late 70's.
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This is the remaining remnant of the National Limited which once ran all the way to Washington DC. The line was discontinued in the late 70's.
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-denzildon9202
Why do we have e to see the toilets they are much the same except a couple have not been flushed- yuk. Good video though
Thank you. -
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Why do we have e to see the toilets they are much the same except a couple have not been flushed- yuk. Good video though
Thank you. -
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-pandaval73
Some people don-t have that luxury. We don-t have subway and commuter rail service in Louisville. And lately, our bus service is terrible.
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Some people don-t have that luxury. We don-t have subway and commuter rail service in Louisville. And lately, our bus service is terrible.
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-f123as
Instead of muted video. Pls upload audio one. Because we don't waste time on reading text and for this we can't focus on video much. Request
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Instead of muted video. Pls upload audio one. Because we don't waste time on reading text and for this we can't focus on video much. Request
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-user-ol8nm1cx8t
Interesting. No seat belts? That is kind of odd. So far I have never been on a train trip. I am looking forward to my first one.
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Interesting. No seat belts? That is kind of odd. So far I have never been on a train trip. I am looking forward to my first one.
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-GP30_Foamer
I took the river runner for the first time last May. The new venture cars got put into service on the train literally the next day.
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I took the river runner for the first time last May. The new venture cars got put into service on the train literally the next day.
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-TrainMike2013
There are departure boards in some stations, it varies from station to station. Just happens that Kansas City is not one of them.
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There are departure boards in some stations, it varies from station to station. Just happens that Kansas City is not one of them.
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-jakeganey7032
The reason US train windows are small is because teenagers would throw rocks at them all the time. Smaller window smaller target
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The reason US train windows are small is because teenagers would throw rocks at them all the time. Smaller window smaller target
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-tstthomason
I had no idea you were currently living in Kansas City. I am from Blue Springs and my girlfriend is from Lee-s Summit!
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I had no idea you were currently living in Kansas City. I am from Blue Springs and my girlfriend is from Lee-s Summit!
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train
Do you now how fast a freight train will go in Europe i was just wondering the top speed for freight trains in the us is 70
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Do you now how fast a freight train will go in Europe i was just wondering the top speed for freight trains in the us is 70
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