Amtrak or "Slamtrak"?

[Willy2]

Yesterday while listening to Laura Ingraham she came up with a great new name for Amtrak. I know that this picture isn't quite right since I'm 13 years old, but I do kind of enjoy Laura. So anyway, her new name for Amtrak is "Slamtrak". I personally think that this is a better name for Amtrak because let me tell you, when I ride Amtrak, the bumps in the track about send my head through the windows.
So what do you think? A good name or a bad name? I'd also like to hear some more funny names for Amtrak. [:-^]

Willy

[Anonymous]

Bumps in the track aren't necessarily Amtraks fault, they are usually running on other RRs right-of-ways.

Who's Laura Ingraham?

[Modelcar]

Laura Ingraham is a right of center celeb, talk show host and talking head....and coming from her the name is not a surprise.

Willy2...I wonder what route you are describing that bangs your head agains the window....Sounds like that ROW needs attention....and as the post above stated, it probably does not fall under the responsbility of Amtrak. In fact, Amtrak probably pays to use it.

[Willy2]

Usually we ride Amtrak in Southwest East into Illinois. The tracks are owned by BNSF and are quite bumpy. Still, can't Amtrak pester BNSF about the tracks. I suppose that since BNSF is class 1 they would probably ignore Amtrak's complaints. That seems to be what most railroads do lately.

Willy

[Modelcar]

....Only money talks in repairing tracks.

[csxengineer98]

i call them slamtrak...amtrash... amsmash... ..but amtrash is the one i use most when refering to amtrak
csx engineer

[Big_Boy_4005]

I'm with you there CSX. Amtrash has been the derogatory name of choice for a lot longer than Willy has been around.

Of course someone will think of some nasty name for anything. What was this brilliantly clever Radio Host's reason for saying this? She must have been griping about something. Sorry to disappoint you Willy, but I don't think she made that one up.[;)]

I wonder what we could do with NRPC or Railpax???[:D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Willy2

Usually we ride Amtrak in Southwest East into Illinois. The tracks are owned by BNSF and are quite bumpy. Still, can't Amtrak pester BNSF about the tracks. I suppose that since BNSF is class 1 they would probably ignore Amtrak's complaints. That seems to be what most railroads do lately.

Willy

I think you're onto something Willy. That's part of the reason why Amtrak came into being. FREIGHT CARS DON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THE RIDE.[swg]

[Anonymous]

\

QUOTE:
Who's Laura Ingraham?

No offence to anyone, But laura Couldn't find her bum with both hands-

she jsut strikes me as not the Brightest bulb in the Sylvania light factory.

But "Slamtrak" is funny.

[Willy2]

Well, Laura was riding Slamtrak or whatever you want to call it in the northeast and guess who she saw? Bob Kerry! One of her worst enemies. After telling that part of the story she go into the big preach over Amtrak. I'll stay out of the politics - John Kerry etc. on this particular occassion and stick with the train part of the story. That's how I came across Slamtrak.

Willy

[Anonymous]

Maybe amtrak should use UNION PACIFIC rails more offen.

[Modelcar]

...It would be nice if she would be the first one that would be put on a bus and held up in traffic if the money is not forthcoming for Gunn and he would shut it down....Her side of the story is no help to make it run better.

[Anonymous]

so why does an amtrak trip cost so much?? I planned an amtrak trip to Disney with my daughter and couldn't believe the price! It would be a memory to last forever for both of us but we could almost go twice using different transportation than the cost of one amtrak trip.

[kenneo]

If she hates it so much, why is she riding it? Because it is better than any of the alternatives. But she couldn't possibly admit to that, now, could she.

Fares on AMTK and the costs (fares) on other modes pretty much pencil out to be the same if there is not some special deal going. Autos and planes have a lot of hidden costs that you still have to pay for.

I would think that if AMTK has to break even or turn a profit, then the airlines should have to pay for ATC and the FAA. That would pretty much level the playing field.

[broncoman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mrlove

Maybe amtrak should use UNION PACIFIC rails more offen.

This is a plan. Hard to get your head slammed on a Amtrak train that's stopped behind a UP feight that's not moving(lack of crew)....[:D]

[Roadtrp]

I think Amtrak coach fares are priced as good as or better than any other type of transportation. For instance -- I just bought roundtrip tickets for Mpls-Chicago for $83.60 round trip. There is no way I could even drive to Chicago for that amount, much less fly. Amtrak starts getting expensive when you add sleeper accommodations, but when you do that you really can't compare that against cheapo coach airfare. The sleeper accommodations give you the room and service of First Class airfare and then some. I think if you compare Amtrak sleeper fares with First Class airfare Amtrak comes out looking pretty good.

When you purchase sleeper accommodations you are not just purchasing transit; you are also purchasing overnight accommodations and all meals for the duration of the trip. [:)]

[Anonymous]

From Expedia.com and Amtrak.com

Flight from Los Angeles to Chicago: coach $279 redeye, $320 early morning
Amtrak's price is $320

Flight from San Luis Obisco to Springfield: coach $720
Amtrak's price is $360

Notice how the airlines charge a very large premium flying into and out of small cities, whereas Amtrak's charge is similar.....

So if one is flying to and from a large city, airline flights will be similar if not cheaper, however, if one is flying to and from a small city, airline flights are always much more expensive...... This is the reason why Amtrak survives annually......

[TH&B]

"Slamming" Amtrak to me just reflects that people need train service and that it has to be better then it presently is. And speaking of rough track I once saw a sign at a station in England posted by BR stating that hunting may be alarming but is completely safe.
-Hunting is British for rough riding

[csxengineer98]

willy
oh yea..here is one more that a dispatcher that i work under likes to call amtrak....
THE SILVER SUPOSITORY
csx engineer

[Anonymous]

SPamtrak was a big favorite in the SP days...

LC