Metrolink crash

Re “They’re loco for all that motion,” Column One, Oct. 1

As a former railroader and lifelong rail fan, I think The Times’ story missed the most important contribution our merry band has made to the general public -- the promotion of rail transportation during the auto age.

Rail fans have for decades lobbied Congress, appeared at public meetings and written letters to newspapers, all to preserve and promote the safe and clean transport of goods and people by rail. Rail fans work in freight and passenger rail companies in significant numbers, not only for the money but to serve the traveling and shipping public and to be part of the most civilized and humane form of public transport.

Whether a young rail fan and his engineer friend contributed to the Metrolink tragedy by texting each other is for the National Transportation Safety Board and the courts to decide. If there is a culprit in the wreck, I think it is a public that refuses to be taxed for vital social needs, including an adequate public transport budget. Without rail fans, the country would have lost much of what little rail transportation it still has. Awkward as we seem at times, events continue to prove us right.

Tom Savio

Pasadena