“People nowadays seemed to resent the railroads for abandoning romantic steam power in favor of diesel. People didn't understand the first goddamned thing about running a railroad. A diesel locomotive was versatile, efficient, and low-maintenance. People thought the railroad owed them romantic favors, and then they belly ached if a train was slow. That was the way most people were—stupid.”

Jonathan Franzen

Jonathan Franzen - “People nowadays seemed to resent the...” 1

Similar quotes

“She was fifteen when it occurred to her for the first time that women did not run railroads and that people might object. To hell with that, she thought- and never worried about it again.”

Ayn Rand
Read more

“She was twelve years old when she told Eddie Willers that she would run the railroad when they grew up. She was fifteen when it occurred to her for the first time that women did not run railroads and that people might object. to hell with that, she thought--and never worried about it again.”

Ayn Rand
Read more

“I realized that I was really tired of people popping on and off of my property like it was a train station on the supernatural railroad.”

Charlaine Harris
Read more

“Do I understand, sir, that you mean the Cause for which our heroes have died is not sacred?'If you were run over by a railroad train your death wouldn’t sanctify the railroad company, would it?' asked Rhett and his voice sounded as if he were humbly seeking information.”

Margaret Mitchell
Read more

“When railroading time comes you can railroad—but not before.”

Robert A. Heinlein
Read more