The railroad cars are back. They're in their usual place, parked on a rail spur just south of the Kanawha Canal at 14th St. Whatever engine delivered them has gone, and they sit serenely glinting in the winter sun.
They are painted deep red on the sides, black on the tops. Gold lettering gives only a little information: Norfolk Southern. Claytor Lake. If I were truly interested, I would do some online research and learn more. But I know enough.
These cars appear every year at this time, and I've figured out that their arrival coincides with the annual opening of the Virginia Legislature. So they probably belong to one of our state politicians or perhaps a lobbyist. I imagine he/she lives in one during the session and uses the other as an office.
This is why I'm not more curious about the railroad cars. They're here for the pork and the sausage of law-making. Forgive me if I turn my head away from the messy process.
In a few weeks, the engine will come and take the cars away. Virginia might have a new state vegetable and laws regulating scooters, but somehow the really important stuff will languish. Please spare this cynic the details.
They are painted deep red on the sides, black on the tops. Gold lettering gives only a little information: Norfolk Southern. Claytor Lake. If I were truly interested, I would do some online research and learn more. But I know enough.
These cars appear every year at this time, and I've figured out that their arrival coincides with the annual opening of the Virginia Legislature. So they probably belong to one of our state politicians or perhaps a lobbyist. I imagine he/she lives in one during the session and uses the other as an office.
This is why I'm not more curious about the railroad cars. They're here for the pork and the sausage of law-making. Forgive me if I turn my head away from the messy process.
In a few weeks, the engine will come and take the cars away. Virginia might have a new state vegetable and laws regulating scooters, but somehow the really important stuff will languish. Please spare this cynic the details.