Amtrak.... sinking or swimming?

[eastcoast]

[?]

How do you feel about the current situation Amtrak is in??
Are they able to come back and profit ?
Seems to me that California is on the right track.
How do you feel? [?]

[dehusman]

Passenger business has been a money loser since the first rails were laid.

The question is whether we want an intercity passenger rail network and how much are we willing to pay for it.

[Anonymous]

I think its a shame how this country treats the passenger rail industry while the airlines and highways seems to get their way. Not one new major highway has been built, but the feds continue to poor in money for highway construction, while Amtrak can't afford to repair their fleet. I think right now they are floating.

[METRO]

There is something going wrong when the government spends billions to bail out the airline industry but can't even meet Amtrak's operating budget. At least California sees the value in rail travel and hopefully the Northeast can keep Amtrak's head above water but unless there is a great change in policy I don't see long distance overnight service lasting past 2010.

[Anonymous]

I suspect that the future of Passenger rail travel is in commuter operations, and maybe some long-distance specials and railtours like the American Orient Express. The main problem is speed. It takes a fraction of the time to fly between two cities that it would take to travel by train (though the new airline security measures might be making this less of a factor). Acela sets are a definate improvement on this front, though they need overhead power lines and dedicated trackage. I would suggest that what is needed is an equivelent of the British HST - these are 9-car diesel trains consisting of two power cars with 7 passenger cars marshalled between them. Cruising speed is about 125mph, though they've been known to hit 140mph on test (and in service, before BR discovered that this was possible and fitted speed limiters!). These have been running since the 1970s and most are still in service today - they just keep going!

[Wdlgln005]

It appears that the few dollars Amtrak has had to use in the last year did make a difference. Ridership is up. But Amtrak needs the full 1.4bil for next year. It still needs every capital dollar it can find to put the railroad back in good repair. A major derailment at this time could be a real disaster.
Please stay off the rails & be safe!

[CP5415]

An intercity passenger train is needed. In Canada & in the U.S.
It proved itself two years ago when people were trying to get home.
The U.S. government think that they're a waste of time. Here in Canada, VIA hopes to get the $600 million pledged by the Federal Gov't to improve itself. Without assistance, North American passenger trains won't last. I hope that David Gunn can get the job done for Amtrak.

Gordon

[eastcoast]

hey guys
I know I posted this topic but get this;
The Disney Corp. wants to take over the Florida market and put their name on the trains that run in that state. How does Mickey Mouse Express sound ???

[Anonymous]

That's very, very worrying. The last thing the world needs is Disney trains!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Railroading_Brit

That's very, very worrying. The last thing the world needs is Disney trains!

I agree, the last thinng we need is more Disney junk. still can't understand why people keep pouring money into such a loser of a company anyways.

[Anonymous]

Hi! Everybody
I just started on this forum,
Why does the government expect to make money off the passenger rail system. There is no country in the world that can do it, but every one undestand the major necessity of having a passenger service for the good of society.
The priorities set up by our government need to be addressed and changed to resolve Amtrack problems for the long run.