Robert Getch
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stumptoemerald.bsky.social
Robert Getch
@stumptoemerald.bsky.social
1.2K followers 650 following 1K posts
Guy who likes walking, trains, buses and bikes. Work in Banking, frequently mistaken for competent.

Seattle now, from Portland.
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stumptoemerald.bsky.social
I would have called this satire last year, instead this is the real opening article in BB tonight.
Haven in doubt, treasuries are suddenly trading like risky assets, stocks extend declines, dollar falls on tariff woes, Trump's dream of USA made iPhones faces test.
April 11, 2025 at 5:12 AM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
Cracks. Not enough, not going to pass. We need more of this plz.
WSJ - Breaking news: several GOP senators broke with Trump to pass a measure revoking the emergency declaration used to impose tariffs on Canada. It is unlikely to become law.
April 3, 2025 at 2:11 AM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
Oh hey, it's me. 🚩🚩🚩😬🚩🚩🚩
Extreme fear is driving the US Market.
April 3, 2025 at 2:00 AM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
Oh here it is, while not "great" it's much better than the "liberal rag" people pretend the @nytimes.com is.

This has happened multiple times now, WSJs 'old conservatives' seemingly able to say what is happening while the liberals at the NYT complain about trans people still
WSJ, Breaking News notification: In a closer-than-expected race in Florida, Republican Randy Fine won the special election to fill Mike Waltz's House seat.
April 2, 2025 at 12:45 AM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
Do check it out though. Signs were in the wrong place, rushing people out, timetable mistakes, etc.

The US rail safety culture is... Not great.
web.archive.org/web/20190809...
Had the positive train control system been fully installed and operational at the time of the accident, it would have intervened to stop the train prior to the curve, thus preventing the accident. 6. The Amtrak qualification program for the Point Defiance Bypass did not effectively train and test qualifying crewmembers on the physical characteristics of a new territory. 7. Amtrak did not provide sufficient training on all characteristics of the Charger locomotive. 8. The engineer’s unfamiliarity with, and fixation on, the audible and visual alerts associated with the overspeed alarm reduced his vigilance of events outside the locomotive moments before the accident. 9. Engineers could better master the characteristics of a new locomotive with the use of simulators. 10. A systematic approach to training would have aided Amtrak managers in recognizing the challenge of operating new equipment on new territories. 11. Supplemental warning plaques, such as distance ahead plaques, or other types of conspicuous signs strategically positioned after an advance warning speed reduction sign would provide enhanced visibility as an added level of safety for operating crews of passenger and freight trains. 12. Crewmembers qualifying on a territory can and should play an active role in establishing and maintaining safe train operations. 13. Had the Washington State Department of Transportation, Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority, Amtrak, and the Federal Railroad Administration been more engaged and assertive during the preparation of the inaugural service, it would have been more likely that safety hazards, such as the speed reduction for the curve would have been better identified and addressed. 14. The Federal Railroad Administration did not use its authority provided under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act to approve speed limit action plans with conditions to require inclusion of planned and under-construction al…
March 27, 2025 at 1:34 AM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
Amtrak is clearly fucking awful at maintenance in the NW. The Talgos were also not being maintained correctly, had the straps not have failed the story may have been different. In the pile of mistakes.
30. The Talgo Series VI passenger railcar AMTK 7424 (8) did not provide adequate occupant protection after its articulated connections separated, resulting in complex uncontrolled movements and secondary collisions with the surrounding environment which led to damage so severe to the railcar body structure, that it caused passenger ejections. 31. The failure of the articulated connections of both Talgo Series VI passenger railcars AMTK 7422 (10) and AMTK 7504 (7), the detached rolling assembly from AMTK 7422 (10) and its secondary collision with AMTK 7504 (7) directly resulted in three fatalities and two partially ejected passengers who had been traveling in AMTK 7504 (7). 32. The safety straps used for the Talgo Series VI trainset rolling assembly retention modifications were degraded due to their use in exposed outdoor conditions and were used far past their service life. 33. During the grandfathering approval process the Federal Railroad Administration failed to consider the limited useful service life of the nylon straps used for the Talgo Series VI trainset rolling assembly retention modifications which had degraded and failed to improve the crashworthiness of the train.
March 27, 2025 at 1:34 AM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
Wired correctly noting that 'DOGE' is problematic with numbers.

I don't understand why it's so hard for other journalists and outlets, it seems quite possible to note to the readers the possible lies.
“Overall costs avoided” were listed at $1.84 billion. The number of employees using generative AI tools built by GSA was listed at 1,383. The number of hours saved from automations was said to be 178,352. Ehikian also pointed out that the agency has canceled or reduced 35,354 credit cards used by government workers and terminated 683 leases. (WIRED cannot confirm any of these statistics. DOGE has been known to share misleading and inaccurate statistics regarding its cost saving efforts.)
March 21, 2025 at 12:34 AM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
Does anyone see anything symbolic on this flag atop the FBI Building in Seattle starting to rip apart?
March 13, 2025 at 4:29 PM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
This claims otherwise at the time. I do believe there was a connection though to ST, and they own the tracks now.

web.archive.org/web/20201205...
Washington state is delivering nearly $800 million in federally funded rail corridor improvements using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) high-speed rail grants administered by the Federal Railroad Administration. The Point Defiance Bypass is one of those ARRA-funded projects. Project budget - $165.3 million
March 13, 2025 at 5:14 AM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
Ah here's what I was looking for, 800 million. Sadly I think some of the issue is the sidings built no longer accommodate these massive trains at times so they can't clear them. Also the old fleet, I believe older than I am, is not helping. I'm curious to watch in 26.
https://web.archive.org/web/20201205033641/https://wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Rail/PNWRC_PtDefiance/default.htm
March 13, 2025 at 5:11 AM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
It's a bit surreal to be standing at American Legion (Oregon Trail 150) and looking just at the walls to see how far we've fallen.
A photo showing a meal setting setup and standing for missing POW who are/were MIA from World War 2 An image showing a front page of a paper called "The Stars and Strips" labeled with the headline "INVASION!" followed by "Allies Land in France" Another paper front page from The Stars and Strips, it's an Extra edition and half the page, in likely the biggest letters they could fit on the page, in all caps, "HITLER DEAD" A photo showing three different paper front pages hanging on the wall of the American Legion, all related to World War 2
March 2, 2025 at 1:04 AM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
Lol Delta, that's a great 'point value' but I think it's a bit much to go impromptu to Australia in 12 hours.
A screenshot of an offer from Delta labeled 'Diecover where your miles can go' showing "To Brisbane, Australia" leaving Today, February 27th, and returning on March 5th for 80,000 points plus $116.91 in fees.
February 27, 2025 at 5:05 PM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
There is an error on this question (would). I do think calling a neighborhood a 5 mile radius made it hard for me to answer the questions correctly later on. Just something you might note if you're seeing oddities in the data. I think that number in urban areas might be lower?? Maybe I missed it
A screenshot showing the question "How satisfied are you with your current cargo bike? Would"
February 21, 2025 at 2:52 AM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
Always a good sign. /s It feels like at this point everything is fucked lol
A photo of the inside of a bus with all the lights off (because the bus is turned off). It's hard to tell but we are in the middle of an arterial.
February 21, 2025 at 2:15 AM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
Yeah, you're supposed to pay the 'use tax' on many things bought without (or at a rate below your local sales tax rate) tax.

dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/...
Use tax is due if: Goods are purchased in another state that does not have a sales tax or a state with a sales tax lower than Washington’s. For example, items you purchase in Oregon that are used in Washington are subject to use tax.
December 3, 2024 at 1:33 AM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
Please pay me $1mm in consulting fees. I did not steal this from literally across the street.
An image of a street closed sign sticking out of a flower pot, with two flower pots adjacent on either side going across a roadway to close the roadway to through traffic. Image is from The Seattle Times, Erika Shultz
November 26, 2024 at 7:01 PM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
This seems like a not good idea? I'm not sure a QR code is the best way to get emergency info to people. Particularly during an emergency. I don't see a different sign anywhere around on the train with the information. 🤷‍♂️
A sign that says "Emergency Evacuation Instructions" then a QR code to take you to a website on a Sound Transit Link Light Rail train near the door.
November 8, 2024 at 2:42 AM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
'Near' is relative of course. This whole region is exposed not only to Volcano issues but also the 'Cascadia Subduction Zone' which is a once in a 'lifetime' (if that) earthquake that could last 5-7 minutes! We are overdue for the 'big one' as well, though who knows when that may be.
Image showing the cascadia earthquake sources. The map shows the Pacific Northwest, particularly the Puget Sound and outlying areas along with the various plates such as the Juan de fuca plate and the Pacific plate and how it's nearby the area. This also shows some earthquakes that were recent in the grand scheme ranging from 900 ad to 2001.
October 3, 2024 at 6:16 AM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
Is this a thing people are doing before washing pants? I have never in my life used a string to keep the zipper from opening in the wash.
A screen capture of a Washing Machine manual highlighting a portion that says "If pants or jacket zippers are open while washing, the tub may be damaged. Zippers should be closed and fixed with a string" highlighting the last bit regarding the string.
September 27, 2024 at 4:28 PM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
A car backed into me while I was biking from a dead stop. Seriously. I don't even know where he was going. A story in 4 parts. The video is more comical.
A white Honda SUV sits stopped, noted by the solid red brake lights, in front of me as recorded by my cycling camera. It's a sunny day at about 16:43 A white Honda SUV begins to reverse, as noted by the white "reversing light" and brake lights have turned off. A image of just the back left corner of the SUV at an angle because they have now backed into my wheel and knocked the handle bars which the camera is attached to around. An image now that they have pulled forward, off my wheel, you can now see my wheel mark all up in their bumper.
July 7, 2024 at 2:54 PM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
The cat that recently got diagnosed with diabetes is doing poorly, has a fever (105.3 F), and might be in a diabetic ketoacidosis situation 😟
Brown and white cat on his side on a veterinary table being held down as a vet and assistant work to give him fluids and medicine
July 2, 2024 at 6:48 AM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
Meltdown in action
A dog that is panting and making crazy eyes with her head just above my knees as I sit on a chair.
June 26, 2024 at 4:42 AM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
I can finally put my ORCA Card (transit pass) on my phone in Seattle. 😭😭😭

It's only like 10 years late but it's finally here. Next: Allowing Credit Cards with tap to pay

#transit
A screenshot from Google Wallet showing an ORCA card and a tap to pay logo indicating it's ready to tap on a fare reader.
June 25, 2024 at 2:03 AM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
@juicysteak117.gay on an ebike is the most dangerous thing on the streets according to WWLP.
An image of what seems like a highway where labeled "concerns rise over fast cyclists in bike lanes" showing what appears like a highway offramp with a cyclist in some unprotected painted bike space. In the background some car is driving on the paint. The author drew green approval check marks over the card and alarming "alert" shapes around the bike
May 23, 2024 at 5:39 AM
stumptoemerald.bsky.social
A photo taken at Sounders v Timbers game taken from the Sounders away section
May 12, 2024 at 8:18 PM