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alphas, in most markets long distance coach seats are very cheap compared to flying, but of course times are longer. For the trips we take, a Roomette for two is cost competitive with flying, and more convenient given the locations of airports relative to our destinations. Full bedroms are quite expensive, more than we can usually afford but Amtrak still manages to sell 'em, so somebody must find value in them.  We find for us that trains are best suited for trips in the 500-1200 mile range. Anything farther and it is easier to fly. Anything shorter and it is cheaper and easier to drive. Trips in that range do take longer than flying, sure, but the time is not excessive, usually taking 1 to 1.5 days. Indeed, the average trip length on a long distance train is in the 800-1000 mile range, depending on the route (east-west trains tend to have longer average trip lengths than north-south trains). So I guess that makes us pretty average people.  I can't find the figures at hand, but I recall reading at the Bureau of Transportation Statistics website that more than half of all trips in the 500-750 mile range are taken on the ground, while just under half of all trips in the 750-1000 mile range are also done on the ground-usualy by car which is the slowest method when you consider overnight stops. So clearly, for about half of the population, time is of less concern than other factors in that distance range. Thus I see a fair amount of potential to attract more rail riders for trips in these markets.  I would add that corridor trains aren't the magic bullet they are reputed to be. Their cost recovery ratios are actually lower than most long distance trains (generally about 45-50% vs 60-65%). But I believe there is a place for both long distance and corridor trains. Rather than taking away from each other each complements the  other through interconectivity, bringing in more riders collectively than either would alone.
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