Here's a little information on Amish transportation that I hope you will find interesting.The most common sight in an Amish community is the horse and buggy. It marks distinctively the separation of the Amish community from the rest of the world who uses the automobile for every day transportation. The buggy varies with the group and reflects how conservative the community is.
The buggies of an area are usually made in several local shops by a craftsman. Several different shops might make the components of the buggy from wheels to springs to the pulling rails that fit around the horse. The local shop assembling the buggy will do the interior upholstery, paint the chassis and exposed wood and cover the top with the waterproof material. Often a new buggy will be presented as a wedding present. A young man may buy a new buggy when he is courting and ready to think of settling down. The increase of a family size may dictate a new buggy with more seats. The older buggies are often passed down to the children as they grow older to allow everyone a seat to get to church and other destinations. With proper maintenance including repainting a buggy can last over 50 years.
Buggies vary from community to community. The more extreme examples include differences in shape, colors used, in accessories allowed as mentioned before and whether the buggy is covered.
Transportation isn't limited to the buggy. Some communities allow their members to use bicycles or roller blades.
If they need to move between their settlements they have to rely on the bus companies. When they move great distances they will hire a semi truck to haul their belongings and take the bus to meet it.
All groups are not that conservative. Their members are allowed to hire drivers with vans or cars to take them on their errands. Some larger families will hire a driver to take them on extended vacations with their entire family. Many groups encourage their members to travel long distances by train or bus to save the expense of hiring an individual driver. Seldom, except in cases of extreme emergency, are Amish allowed to fly.
The buggies of an area are usually made in several local shops by a craftsman. Several different shops might make the components of the buggy from wheels to springs to the pulling rails that fit around the horse. The local shop assembling the buggy will do the interior upholstery, paint the chassis and exposed wood and cover the top with the waterproof material. Often a new buggy will be presented as a wedding present. A young man may buy a new buggy when he is courting and ready to think of settling down. The increase of a family size may dictate a new buggy with more seats. The older buggies are often passed down to the children as they grow older to allow everyone a seat to get to church and other destinations. With proper maintenance including repainting a buggy can last over 50 years.
Buggies vary from community to community. The more extreme examples include differences in shape, colors used, in accessories allowed as mentioned before and whether the buggy is covered.
Transportation isn't limited to the buggy. Some communities allow their members to use bicycles or roller blades.
If they need to move between their settlements they have to rely on the bus companies. When they move great distances they will hire a semi truck to haul their belongings and take the bus to meet it.
All groups are not that conservative. Their members are allowed to hire drivers with vans or cars to take them on their errands. Some larger families will hire a driver to take them on extended vacations with their entire family. Many groups encourage their members to travel long distances by train or bus to save the expense of hiring an individual driver. Seldom, except in cases of extreme emergency, are Amish allowed to fly.
XoXo
Simple Pleasures
5 comments:
beautiful post, these are frequent scenes here for us, we have a large Amish population here,
This was a beautiful post of the Amish, thank you so much for the beautiful pictures and a wonderful post.
Prim Blessings,
Tricia
Hi Michelle, I loved this because I love all things Amish. Interesting bikes/scooters though.
Have a great day!
Noreen
Very nice Michelle and enjoyed looking at these images. I never get tired reading and looking at images of Amish life, even though i do that on my own blog. Richard
Michelle, Great post. Love all this information. OLM
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