The End of Amtrak

[gabe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SP9033

QUOTE: Originally posted by gabe

I wasn't altogether serious. Although, one would be naive to believe that pork doesn't play a part in Amtrak development--often to the detriment of Amtrak. I am sure Amtrak hates it as much as I do. If they know they are only getting 1.5 Billion dollars of funding in a particular year; it really has to burn to have pork force x amount of those dollars into areas that aren't as needing of capital as compared to others.

I think David Gunn was hinting at this problem during his recent talk on the problems with Accela.

Gabe

Well Gabe,

Welcome to the political land of government funding. Now, if those politicos that designed this Amtrak that absolved capitalist from their responsibilities a funding source, none of what we have watched or will watch would be necessary.

Amtrak today would be happily operating, just like the post office!

Jim

Cool, Amtrak ran like the Post Office:

So conductors would randomly snap and shoot the passengers and fellow employees, trains that normally take 20 hours to get from point A to point B would inexplicably take 4 days every four to five months, and ticket fairs would steadily go up past the rate of the inflation despite the lack of an appreciable difference in service.

But, now that you mention it, maybe it would be a good thing. If Amtrak were run like the post office, FedEx, UPS, and DSL could then start a competing passenger service and run circles around it. Your right, maybe that would lead to better passenger service.

Gabe

P.S. To postal employees: those comments are directed at your boss, not you. And I have the upmost respect--and empathy--for those working in governemnt.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxengineer98

becoues we are sick of discussing it...
csx engineer

Hey folks. This is one of those insulters that I was refering to recently that runs people down, runs other people's topics down and will say that he has the right to do so. Keep an eye on his postings and you'll see what I mean.

As for Amtrak. I wi***hem the best, and hope Bush reconsiders.

trainluver1

[siberianmo]

So, here we are again ..... someone posts about Amtrak, and it begins anew.
Hey! Fine with me ..... as long as the respect for the other guy's opinion overrides the anecdotal nonsense appearing in so many of these threads.

I DON'T have all the facts - I DON'T have all the answers, nor do I pretend to. I DON'T blame one single individual for the situation Amtrak finds itself in. That is absurd, simply incorrect. For those who state these off the wall opinions, how about a little backup with facts?

I am one who does communicate with elected representatives and get responses. Not by Email, but by good old fashioned letters with stamps. Just consider how many Emails these people must get and how very few actually get any attention. It's amazing to me that even the letters get to them - but they seemingly do - or at least to the administrative staffers.

So, continue riding the trains folks, if your location is fortunate enough to have the service. Continue communicating with elected officials and insist that Amtrak remain operating until THEY can come up with a better plan - a comprehensive 21st century transportation plan that calls for modernization - not just upgrades - of our nation's vital rail system.

That's it for me ....... said it before, saying it again and practicing what I preach.

See ya! [tup] [;)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Cool, Amtrak ran like the Post Office:

So conductors would randomly snap and shoot the passengers and fellow employees, trains that normally take 20 hours to get from point A to point B would inexplicably take 4 days every four to five months, and ticket fairs would steadily go up past the rate of the inflation despite the lack of an appreciable difference in service.

But, now that you mention it, maybe it would be a good thing. If Amtrak were run like the post office, FedEx, UPS, and DSL could then start a competing passenger service and run circles around it. Your right, maybe that would lead to better passenger service.

Gabe

P.S. To postal employees: those comments are directed at your boss, not you. And I have the upmost respect--and empathy--for those working in governemnt.

Gabe,

Can you please clean up some of the quote stuff, I'm getting tired doing my clean up as well as your clean up...[:D]

The next time UPS (Union wages), FedEx (Just livable wages) or DHL (Sub-Standard wages) shows up at your place for a pickup, give them 37 cents and see just how far that will carry your messege! Those outfits fill not carry your message for that amount anywhere, but the Post Office will carry that message anywhere in the USA. Thats a bargin.

The Post Office as we know it today was hammered out of a government department during 1971. Since that time the post office has grown to meet the demands of a "right now" generation, with good results.

First Class letter to New York from Reno, NV about 4 days, cost; 37 cents, Gabe it just doesn't get any better than that, Amtrak should run that way too, it can't - that semi-government agency has no source of funding...Has no life of its own.

Jim

[csxengineer98]

QUOTE: Originally posted by trainluver1

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxengineer98

becoues we are sick of discussing it...
csx engineer

Hey folks. This is one of those insulters that I was refering to recently that runs people down, runs other people's topics down and will say that he has the right to do so. Keep an eye on his postings and you'll see what I mean.

As for Amtrak. I wi***hem the best, and hope Bush reconsiders.

trainluver1

oh am i now.... give me examples? show me where i did what you said i do... becoues i show you foamers where some of your ideas just dont work in the real world? show me where i ran people down? for the record..i dont insult untill i am insulted first.... i have one thing that some of you armchair railroaders wish you had..and that is real world railroad working experance.... i see things eveyday that most of you might see once in a blue moon when your out sitting in your car railfaning... it is a differnt world being in the treches eveyday then it is to just sit long them for a few hours watching me work...and listing to a scanner for an hour or 2.....
i want you to post examples of how i am such a bad guy?....becouse i speak the truth? i showed you that something you thought was true turned out to be wrong? what? show me the error of my ways? if in fact you can?
and as far as amtrak... the topic is hashed and rehashed here evey other day...thats fine... but thier is only so many ways you can cut it up befor you cover evey angle...
csx engineer

[Anonymous]

I wonder if a new passenger railroad will be made if Amtrak dies.

[daveklepper]

Again, a reminder of the huge subsidy, probably far greater than $4billion a year, given the highway and air travelers and freight by the fact that the land they occupy does not pay any real-estate taxes. And the $14billion just for Boston's "Big Dig."

[Anonymous]

If other passenger rail can be efficent and solvent why can't Amtrak?

[Anonymous]

Show me one that turns a profit.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jashauer1

Show me one that turns a profit.

Trinity Rail Express

[spbed]

Kindly remember that any Interstate highway project in the USA 80% is paid thru a gasoline tax the remaining 20% is paid by the state desiring the in improvement in their system.

I would think any type of tax implemented to keep A/trak going would cause a real revolt here[:o)][:D][:p]

Originally posted by daveklepper
[

Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

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