G4's take on NYC's Congestion Pricing, just in the nick of too late. Plus a report of a recent trip to a live show between City Nerd and the War on Cars in NYC, as well as bicycling around Baltimore, DC, NYC, and Philly.
BGT Episode 24: Q&A 4, Requiem
This episode brings up some listener feedback about scenery techniques, answers some questions about what sort of layout beginners should build, and addresses some comments about the tone and ideas of Proto-Future.
The subsequent interview with Tom Barbalet on Model Rail Radio is linked here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/model-rail-radio/id335536272?i=1000634820061
Proto-Future 7: Interview with Tom Barbalet
A one(-ish) year checkup with Tom Barbalet, talking about his incredibly enduring perspective of model railroading, how the hobby has changed over the years, the direction of modeling, transit, urbanism, geopolitics, artificial life simulations, and exobiology.
Listen to the original interview, from last year: Model Rail Radio November 13th, 2023: Tom Barbalet Talks with John Gardiner IV
Proto-Future 6: It's up to us now
This episode addresses the elephant in the room: that America is a now a fascist, dying country. What do we do now, and how do we fight back against the racist conservative idiots that are stealing our freedoms?
Please, please donate to:
The Freedom from Religion Foundation
PFP Bonus 1, 2024 Election Rerelease, G4 Imitates Noah Lugeons
Proto-Future 5, Part 4: Inaugural Borealis, Day 4 – Metra Montage
This episode caps off the Borealis series with a tour of Loyola, Northwestern, Ogilvie Transport Center, and O'Hare Terminal 5 via the CTA El, Metra, O’Hare People Mover, and United Airlines.
David Sotokarlin's Chicago 2040 Plan: https://www.davidsotokarlin.com/chicago2040
Lucid Stew's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LucidStew/videos
And the episode in which I got a shout-out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffdJAM5RZro
Proto-Future Bonus 2: Episode Catchup, Madison Takedown
Part of why I’m so hard on Madison is because it’s so tantalizingly close to being a place deserving of its reputation... If I’d be open to moving 700 miles away to Madison, I’d also be open to moving 900 miles away to Minneapolis, and I think, at this moment, I’d get a much better experience for it.
Proto-Future 5, Part 3: Inaugural Borealis, Day 3 – Dignitaries Car
This episode, the purpose of the whole series, sees me as part of the Press Pool for the Inaugural Amtrak Borealis between St. Paul and Chicago. Speeches, interviews, and applause are heard from St. Paul Union Depot, and many enjoyable conversations are had onboard the train itself en route to Chicago.
The League of American Bicyclists Zoom given by Derrick James and Moriah Morales is here: https://youtu.be/YE6oJ7quCnM?si=CQetZzVpGOMgCHFE
Jim Matthews, CEO of the Rail Passengers Association
Marc Magliari, Amtrak Senior Public Relations Manager
Joseph Aiello, Rail Passengers Association Director of Community Engagement
Derrick and Andrew James (middle and right), Amtrak Director of Government Affairs (and long-distance bicyclist)
Stephen Gardner, CEO of Amtrak
Proto-Future 5, Part 2: Inaugural Borealis, Day 2 – Minneapolis Speedrun and the Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum
This episode follows as I walk through the Minneapolis Skyway, discuss the NorthStar Commuter Rail, ride all the Minneapolis Metro Light Rail, visit the Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum and interview Ken Zieska and Matt Malwitz, have a disappointingly short visit to St. Paul, walk the entire Mall of America, visit St. Anthony Falls, and leave flowers at George Floyd Memorial Square.
Proto-Future and Beginner's Guide Trailer
This trailer succinctly describes the purpose and scope of Proto-Future, and the long-term plan for how it fits in with the Beginner’s Guide to Model Railroading.