{This is a response to the prompt from Friday Fictioneers. For more information on the decline of railroads in the US, from 1960-1980, see this article. For more on resurrecting dinosaurs, à la Jurassic Park, see this. For an idea of what Francine may have in mind, click here. Thank you for the prompt, and for taking the time to read!}
“Nineteenth century dinosaurs, these railroads.”
Francine removed her bike helmet. Silvered tresses fell, as she shook her head.
The air was crisp, the view was fine, and that old fossil, the abandoned Tallasso railway bridge, cantilevered out over the bay. It seemed weary, having suffered so many decades of rusty dilapidation and decay.
“Noisy things,” muttered her partner, Gene. “Better off extinct.” His helmet strap chafed his chin. He squeezed the brakes impatiently, with half-gloved hands .
“Waste of a damn good bridge,” he grumbled. “Shame, the bike track stops here!”
Francine smiled.
“This is one dinosaur we can resurrect,” she said.
I enjoyed her adventurous spirit!
Thanks Dawn!
I wish we would share the beauty of railroads (and bike paths too)… I think some dinosaurs would feel younger then.
Yes I think you’re right! Much of the isolatIon of modern Western civilization seems to stem from the use and misuse of the single passenger automobile.
I like the economical way you’ve written this. You put in salient details that tell us so much. The silvered tresses, the helmet and the half-gloves, for example. And you stick to your dinosaur metaphor really well too!
Thank you Penny! So glad you’re back! It can tricky trying to etch a scene, without going into too much mundane detail. Each word has to do the work of three!?
The dialogue in your story is spot on! I enjoyed these two bicyclists.
Thanks Alicia!
Your pair is very likable, and in interesting story. Nicely done.
I’m so glad they are about restoring the bridge to serve as a bike path. I enjoyed the dialogue between the couple!
They appreciate your support!?
I liked reading your backstory in the comments as much as I enjoyed the piece itself. Very good thoughtful write. I love the creative process and being privy to it as I was here.
Thank you Violet. Don’t know how other minds think, but happy to share how mine does!
Extension to the bike path? So long as a stray train doesn’t turn up I’m all for it.
I think the train has long since taken another route, at least in my story. ?
hopefully, they have millions to finance the project. 🙂
And there’s the rub. That’s what makes financial supporters of and advocates for such projects heroic.
What a great pair they are!
Thanks Dale!
They sound like a nice couple, been together for quite a while by the sound of it!
Thanks Draliman. Glad their casual comradery came through!
We can only hope she is successful. Nice one Andrea
Click to read my FriFic tale!
To be continued…
Dear Andrea,
I’m a big fan of restoration. Too often we’re quick to tear down monuments to the past. I loved the image of her shaking out her silver tresses. Well done all the way around.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, Rochelle. Me too.
I think I want to grow up to be Francine. I liked her spirit.
Cool!
Count me in for the restoration of railways, for whatever purpose. Not everyone feels that way though, as your story illustrates.
True. But I expect the two will push for a greenway multi-use path like the Highline in NYC rather than rebuilding the railroad to become a functioning line. Heres a link for pics of the Highline at all different times of year.
https://www.thehighline.org/photos-videos/seasons/
Railways are not dinosaurs, they are environment friendly and must be revived.
Secretly, I agree with you! However this is not yet the prevailing opinion or conviction in the US. Its more likely this railway sill be turned into a bike path.
US is a different ball game. Most people have good income, gas is cheaper, and roads are well laid. People live and die in car and for car. All said, many people still use train. One need to make the network more extensive.
More extensive, less expensive. The re-institution of commuter rail lines, even on the most congested routes is very controversial in my state.
In India rail is run by government. Prices are somewhat checked because railway is subsidised. But it has its own drawback. In the US, UK and places like these, rail is privately run. So price is not controlled. I agree to make rail popular, price has to come down.
Good points Abhijit. In the US, I think Amtrak is, at least partially, subsidized by the federal government. It took over the main passenger routes in the 70s and 80s in much of the US according to the article I link to in my intro.
But in my state at least there is little in the way of commuter train service that is used regularly. Maybe Miami has it, I dont know. I think the Tampa area is working on it and a route between Otrlando and Tampa is frequently proposed.
But when such routes Get on the ballot, they have been routinely voted down.
I spent time in Germany in the 80s and so I am familiar withe the many benefits of a well-run train system. But for whatever reason we’re not there yet.
Such great dialogue. It flows as easily as the character’s relationships.
Thanks Magaly.
This couple has been together for a long time. They hear words unspoken, share ideas unsaid. Great characters.
Thank you granonine. The woman reminds me of Dagny TaggErt from Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand–adetermined character with big ideas. The other seems like her foil, pessimistic in the face of her optimism and vision. That this makes them seem well suited pleases me immensely.
Wow–it’s been YEARS since I read “Atlas Shrugged.”
Me too!
By the way, if you recall, that book was about railroads too, only building them instead of tearing them down. ?
Yes, I do remember. I might have to go find that book and read it again 🙂
Set aside a few months. ?
🙂
I really love the last line of your story.
Thanks. There is little so beautiful as a tone of resolve.
They seem like such a fun couple!
Thank you Jade!
Constructed wonderfully.
Thankyou Lisa! Just commented on yours. Trying to go backwards up the list this week!
P.S. i tried to keep with the Jurassic Park theme. ?. Hope that came through. The title word boneshaker has the same number of syllables as Jurassic,and it means both a vehicle with a poor suspension and an old style of bicycle without rubber tires. Its literal meaning seemed fitting, with the notion of riding bikes over train tracks! And a rails-to-trails project could be considered a kind of park. ?
It came through perfectly. That’s so cool. You learn something new every day! 🙂
Ok good.
Good description of the pair
Thanks Neil!