Ian Gaida
@trainsfan.bsky.social
The self-proclained Midwest Urbanist
https://www.youtube.com/@Midwest_Urbanist
streets.mn person
Long-Distance train enjoyer 🚆
Battery bus hater
Master of Physics and puller of string theory
https://www.youtube.com/@Midwest_Urbanist
streets.mn person
Long-Distance train enjoyer 🚆
Battery bus hater
Master of Physics and puller of string theory
Reposted by Ian Gaida
2.) An update from our Council as a whole.
St. Paul City Council calls for investigation of officers’ use of force during ICE operation
The Council is also seeking an examination of the police department’s adherence to the city’s separation ordinance.
www.twincities.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:49 AM
2.) An update from our Council as a whole.
Folks they're calling it the least productive day of the month
November 26, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Folks they're calling it the least productive day of the month
*click*
Oh right! New video! The one where I soft-locked myself IRL because I said I'd stop filming when the trains stop coming, and then they didn't
youtu.be/YksaCRj3lXY?...
Oh right! New video! The one where I soft-locked myself IRL because I said I'd stop filming when the trains stop coming, and then they didn't
youtu.be/YksaCRj3lXY?...
Train Watching in Saint Lambert
YouTube video by Midwest Urbanist
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 5:46 PM
*click*
Oh right! New video! The one where I soft-locked myself IRL because I said I'd stop filming when the trains stop coming, and then they didn't
youtu.be/YksaCRj3lXY?...
Oh right! New video! The one where I soft-locked myself IRL because I said I'd stop filming when the trains stop coming, and then they didn't
youtu.be/YksaCRj3lXY?...
Maybe it's a good thing he lost lmao
Carter said he stood by the city's police department, and Police Chief Axel Henry maintained his department did not violate the city’s separation ordinance.
Carter said Henry has begun a full review of the use of force during Tuesday’s response.
bit.ly/3XPFzJk
Carter said Henry has begun a full review of the use of force during Tuesday’s response.
bit.ly/3XPFzJk
November 26, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Maybe it's a good thing he lost lmao
I feel like if you condemned this many properties for a transit expansion around here there'd be riots
Back in spring, I made final images of some of the buildings slated for demolition along the path of the Red Line Extension.
These were captured over a monthlong span when demolition permits were getting greenlit, wrecking crews finally dispatching after asbestos remediation and utility shutoffs.
These were captured over a monthlong span when demolition permits were getting greenlit, wrecking crews finally dispatching after asbestos remediation and utility shutoffs.
November 26, 2025 at 5:07 AM
I feel like if you condemned this many properties for a transit expansion around here there'd be riots
I gave Metro Transit a lot of shit for their route organization/numbering but honestly Amtrak is so, so much worse
November 26, 2025 at 3:00 AM
I gave Metro Transit a lot of shit for their route organization/numbering but honestly Amtrak is so, so much worse
Also we as urbanists need to take up the mantle of rural land use as well
Sherco solar project, 910MW: est. 5,000 acres
Prairie Island, 1041MW: 475 acres
Granted the former can also serve limited other purposes but uh, not ideal IMO
Sherco solar project, 910MW: est. 5,000 acres
Prairie Island, 1041MW: 475 acres
Granted the former can also serve limited other purposes but uh, not ideal IMO
This is why we need more nuclear power
One of many tragedies here is that the states that are seeing the fastest rate increases are in the central part of the country where historic reliance on coal and a political fear of change have the potential to conspire and make this much worse.
November 26, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Also we as urbanists need to take up the mantle of rural land use as well
Sherco solar project, 910MW: est. 5,000 acres
Prairie Island, 1041MW: 475 acres
Granted the former can also serve limited other purposes but uh, not ideal IMO
Sherco solar project, 910MW: est. 5,000 acres
Prairie Island, 1041MW: 475 acres
Granted the former can also serve limited other purposes but uh, not ideal IMO
Reposted by Ian Gaida
Active ICE Raid
609 Rose Ave E, St Paul, MN
Several Family Members Inside House
Support Requested
609 Rose Ave E, St Paul, MN
Several Family Members Inside House
Support Requested
November 25, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Active ICE Raid
609 Rose Ave E, St Paul, MN
Several Family Members Inside House
Support Requested
609 Rose Ave E, St Paul, MN
Several Family Members Inside House
Support Requested
Hypothetical St Paul - Fargo route via a rebuilt GN main:
@ 100 mph: 3'42"
@ 110: 3'22"
@ 125: 2'58"
Current schedule: 5 hr
This is some extreme napkin math based on the current schedule. With no freight interference and less padding a dedicated corridor train could feasibly do 2.5 hours
@ 100 mph: 3'42"
@ 110: 3'22"
@ 125: 2'58"
Current schedule: 5 hr
This is some extreme napkin math based on the current schedule. With no freight interference and less padding a dedicated corridor train could feasibly do 2.5 hours
November 25, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Hypothetical St Paul - Fargo route via a rebuilt GN main:
@ 100 mph: 3'42"
@ 110: 3'22"
@ 125: 2'58"
Current schedule: 5 hr
This is some extreme napkin math based on the current schedule. With no freight interference and less padding a dedicated corridor train could feasibly do 2.5 hours
@ 100 mph: 3'42"
@ 110: 3'22"
@ 125: 2'58"
Current schedule: 5 hr
This is some extreme napkin math based on the current schedule. With no freight interference and less padding a dedicated corridor train could feasibly do 2.5 hours
This is why we need more nuclear power
One of many tragedies here is that the states that are seeing the fastest rate increases are in the central part of the country where historic reliance on coal and a political fear of change have the potential to conspire and make this much worse.
November 25, 2025 at 2:50 PM
This is why we need more nuclear power
One of my crank ideas is that Amtrak should look into how much of the national network can easily be upgraded to 90MPH. Almost all of it has PTC and the majority runs on busy, well-maintained freight routes that are already good for 70+. Surely a little extra can't cost that much yeah?
November 25, 2025 at 3:20 AM
One of my crank ideas is that Amtrak should look into how much of the national network can easily be upgraded to 90MPH. Almost all of it has PTC and the majority runs on busy, well-maintained freight routes that are already good for 70+. Surely a little extra can't cost that much yeah?
Something just occurred to me about last weekends trip:
might be my first trip that didn't involve a P42
might be my first trip that didn't involve a P42
November 25, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Something just occurred to me about last weekends trip:
might be my first trip that didn't involve a P42
might be my first trip that didn't involve a P42
I've always felt the water usage argument against data centers is vibes based and reading the Minnpost article tying in thermal power plant usage has further convinced me of this.
No one actually knows what it even means to "use water". There's different ways and the distinctions are important!
No one actually knows what it even means to "use water". There's different ways and the distinctions are important!
November 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I've always felt the water usage argument against data centers is vibes based and reading the Minnpost article tying in thermal power plant usage has further convinced me of this.
No one actually knows what it even means to "use water". There's different ways and the distinctions are important!
No one actually knows what it even means to "use water". There's different ways and the distinctions are important!
What's in the box, Charlie Brown?
Firewalk with me, Charlie Brown
If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball, Charlie Brown
November 24, 2025 at 4:34 AM
What's in the box, Charlie Brown?
Back here again. I think one more trip and it'll overtake Chicago as my second most used station
November 24, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Back here again. I think one more trip and it'll overtake Chicago as my second most used station
Pissing away the last few minutes of the con, I'm reminded of holiday gatherings and how my parents, and by extension my sister and I, would end up on clean up duty after the festivities when everyone else has gone
November 23, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Pissing away the last few minutes of the con, I'm reminded of holiday gatherings and how my parents, and by extension my sister and I, would end up on clean up duty after the festivities when everyone else has gone
Ooh, I bet you're wonderin' how I knew
'Bout your plans to make me blue
With some other guy you knew before
Between the two of us guys
You know I love you more
It took me by surprise, I must say
When I found out yesterday
Don't you know that I heard it through the grapevine
'Bout your plans to make me blue
With some other guy you knew before
Between the two of us guys
You know I love you more
It took me by surprise, I must say
When I found out yesterday
Don't you know that I heard it through the grapevine
November 23, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Ooh, I bet you're wonderin' how I knew
'Bout your plans to make me blue
With some other guy you knew before
Between the two of us guys
You know I love you more
It took me by surprise, I must say
When I found out yesterday
Don't you know that I heard it through the grapevine
'Bout your plans to make me blue
With some other guy you knew before
Between the two of us guys
You know I love you more
It took me by surprise, I must say
When I found out yesterday
Don't you know that I heard it through the grapevine
Reposted by Ian Gaida
Struck gold!
Found a tape from BCRail going over the electrification system for the Tumbler Ridge line, I learned they set up a digital monitoring system for it (IN 1981!!) with a remote microwave link spanning 700km across the province. Link in comments
#railfan #foamer #vintage #BCRail
Found a tape from BCRail going over the electrification system for the Tumbler Ridge line, I learned they set up a digital monitoring system for it (IN 1981!!) with a remote microwave link spanning 700km across the province. Link in comments
#railfan #foamer #vintage #BCRail
October 30, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Reposted by Ian Gaida
right-wing version of a land acknowledgement:
November 19, 2025 at 7:41 PM
right-wing version of a land acknowledgement:
Reposted by Ian Gaida
New video! Honestly this is one of my favorites, I think it's the first one where I've nailed the vibe I've been aiming for this whole time.
youtu.be/J8O2lKuIbvU
youtu.be/J8O2lKuIbvU
All the Stations USA EP 19: Wisconsin Dells (WDL)
YouTube video by Midwest Urbanist
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 12:52 PM
New video! Honestly this is one of my favorites, I think it's the first one where I've nailed the vibe I've been aiming for this whole time.
youtu.be/J8O2lKuIbvU
youtu.be/J8O2lKuIbvU
Quote of the day, unprompted: "Personally, I'm a fan of woke"
November 20, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Quote of the day, unprompted: "Personally, I'm a fan of woke"
Back at my favorite place in the world
November 20, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Back at my favorite place in the world
New video! Honestly this is one of my favorites, I think it's the first one where I've nailed the vibe I've been aiming for this whole time.
youtu.be/J8O2lKuIbvU
youtu.be/J8O2lKuIbvU
All the Stations USA EP 19: Wisconsin Dells (WDL)
YouTube video by Midwest Urbanist
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 12:52 PM
New video! Honestly this is one of my favorites, I think it's the first one where I've nailed the vibe I've been aiming for this whole time.
youtu.be/J8O2lKuIbvU
youtu.be/J8O2lKuIbvU
"ok wise guy what do we put at the OTHER corner????"
:)
:)
Urge Saint Paul Civic Leaders to build a second Spruce Tree Centre at the abandoned Midway CVS-
Like, Share, and Sign the Petition!
c.org/ZwRJV8qJzZ
Like, Share, and Sign the Petition!
c.org/ZwRJV8qJzZ
Sign the Petition
Urge city to build a second Spruce Tree Centre
c.org
November 19, 2025 at 8:19 PM
"ok wise guy what do we put at the OTHER corner????"
:)
:)