15 chapters across the catalog
The hosts react to the sound of the Zephyr train passing by the studio, noting its unusual Sunday schedule. They lament the construction of a new apartment building near the tracks that blocks the view of the train, despite muffling the noise for other residents. The segment highlights a personal interest in local rail activity and the changing landscape of the Texas Hill Country.
John C. Dvorak provides a "Zephyr Report" regarding a train sighting involving four engines, two of which featured celebratory blue paint. The hosts jokingly interpret this as a positive economic sign despite 8.5% inflation and Bitcoin's price volatility. Dvorak notes he has prepared an unusually high number of clips for the episode.
The United States imported approximately $600 billion worth of goods from China in the first quarter of 2021, contributing to a trade deficit exceeding $250 billion. Observations of slow-moving freight trains and massive container shipments in Northern Silicon Valley serve as indicators of current economic pacing.
The hosts discuss the irregular schedule of the Zephyr train in Northern Silicon Valley, noting its absence on expected days. Observations of a long, slow-moving train heading toward Seattle prompt a discussion on the potentially broken state of the economy.
The Zephyr Report for December 27, 2020, indicates an economic upturn based on an eight-car train count in Northern California, including a private car. Bitcoin reached a significant milestone of $26,681. The report serves as a recurring informal economic indicator for the region.
California Zephyr, Husker Du, Train Conductor Video
Todd Kramer donates and shares a song about the California Zephyr, written by Gary Hart of the 80s band Husker Du. The hosts discuss the seasonal nature of the train and a video sent by a producer who is a train conductor in Victoria, Australia. The segment includes a request for "F-cancer" karma for a friend and his son battling leukemia.
The hosts open the broadcast from Austin, Texas, and Northern Silicon Valley, noting a missed sighting of the Zephyr train, which serves as a local economic indicator. They transition into a discussion regarding recent updates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and a specific press conference involving Maria Van Kerkhove.
The "Zephyr" train, a local economic indicator based on car counts, was observed with eight cars, signaling a stable or recovering economy. This observation coincides with a significant surge in the stock market and the emergence of the "checkmark recovery" theory. The host notes that the train's length is a frequent topic of discussion among listeners at local meetups.
Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open episode 1228 of the No Agenda show from Austin, Texas and Silicon Valley. They discuss the "Zephyr" train car count as a local economic indicator, noting a drop to seven cars. A satirical advertisement for a 1-900 number explains Dvorak's Law regarding the quality and price of sex workers during economic downturns.
A discussion regarding noise complaints involving the Zephyr and freight trains in Austin, Texas. One speaker describes calling in complaints about engineers honking horns at 3:00 AM in areas without crossings. The dialogue transitions into the day's primary news beat regarding international elections.
Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak Open from Amsterdam and Silicon Valley
Adam Curry broadcasts from the Garden of Amsterdam in the Netherlands while John C. Dvorak joins from Northern Silicon Valley. The hosts observe the passing of a ten-car Zephyr train at the start of the program. Curry addresses a joke from Dvorak's newsletter regarding his lack of sports knowledge, promising to provide sports updates from Europe.
California Zephyr Train Schedule, Microphone Equipment Malfunction
The hosts open the program discussing the consistent tardiness of the California Zephyr train passing through Berkeley. A technical malfunction occurs when a microphone falls off its stand, leading to a brief discussion about audio equipment and recording setups.
Sacramento Train Museum Meetup, Patrick Koble, California Travel
A listener meetup is scheduled for August 12th at the Sacramento Train Museum, featuring a private car ride donated by Patrick Koble. John Dvorak plans to take the Zephyr train from Emeryville to meet with producers at the museum and later at the Fat City Saloon. The event is described as a family-friendly gathering for the "No Agenda" community in Northern California.
The hosts open the program discussing the visual style of the California Zephyr train, comparing its modern appearance to the architectural and industrial aesthetics found in Ayn Rand's literature. They contrast the classic version of the train, which featured glass domes, with the current Amtrak route and older Burlington engines.
A discussion regarding the lack of cleanliness on BNSF Railway trains and the California Zephyr. The observation is made that the engines are filthy and the logos are obscured by dirt, contrasting this with a past facility in Oakland that featured a massive train wash. The decline in maintenance is attributed to cost-cutting or a general lack of corporate pride within Warren Buffett's company.
