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[quote user="CG9602"]That may be congruent with GAAP et al., but I also recall that one can make numbers say whatever one wants the numbers to indicate. As for these shorter routes, I can't help but wonder how they might be more "profitable," or have a smaller loss, or be more valuable, when they serve much more limited markets than the long distance trains, particularly on a revenue passenger mile basis. Again, I'm a bit suspicious that trains serving more limited markets might have better financial performance. I mean, one did not build highways as disjointed discreet projects around the nation - the Interstates gained their value in part because they formed an interconnected system.[/quote] The numbers for the Sunset, as well as Amtrak's other trains, can be found in Amtrak's Monthly Operating Reports and the annual financial reports.  They are audited by Amtrak's internal audit group and the company's external auditors.  Accounting data is influenced to a small extent by estimates, i.e. the estimated life of an asset (locomotives, cars, track, etc.) to determine depreciation.  These estimates too are subject to scrutiny by the auditors.  The financial data for the Sunset tells management, as well as other stakeholders, e.g. taxpayers, how well the train performs compared to other Amtrak trains, as well as other modes of transport.  The numbers are not spun to say what someone wants them to say.  If management tried to do that the auditors would cut them off at the knees.  The short haul trains do not lose as much money per passenger mile as the long distance trains.  In fact, some of the short haul trains, including those in the NEC, cover their operating costs and contribute something to other charges, i.e. interest, depreciation, management services, etc.  No long distance train, with the exception of the Auto Train, even comes close to covering its operating costs.
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