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[quote user="passengerfan"] I would think that now might be the perfect time to change some routes and introduce several others. The RRs all have freight traffic downturns and they might be willing to let additional Amtrak trains on there tracks. Sam the route you suggest parrallels I-35 for the most part where another route might not compete with Interstate traffic such as a Denver - Dallas routing via the BNSF. The population center of Montana along the lower half of that state has been trying to ressurect train service for years. For those people living along the Empire Builder route there is no other choice but Amtrak the air service and bus service along US 2 disappeared some years ago. There is still limited air service and bus service along the old NP Montana route where the states population lies. If the BNSF is opening a new route into the Montana Coal fields from the former NP mainline than I think Montana's chances of opening up Amtrak train service along the southern route will be about as likely as snowballs chance in H***. I would rather see the old Pioneer route through Oregon and Idaho reinstituted. Al - in - Stockton       [/quote] My letter to Amtrak regarding changes in the routing of the Texas Eagle was prefaced by this comment.  "If you could run Amtrak like a business, without undue political interference, you would drop most of the long distance trains.  But as long as Amtrak is dependent on the Congress for a third of the monies required to cover its costs, you will be required to hoist long distance trains.  Accordingly you should provide the best service possible within the constraints imposed on you." The one place in Texas where increased passenger train service makes sense is the I-35 corridor between DFW and San Antonio.  It has sufficient population, coupled with highway congestion, to make passenger trains a viable alternative.  On the other hand, extending the Heartland Flyer from Oklahoma City to Kansas City does not make any sense. In FY 2008 the Flyer had an average load factor of 53.3 per cent or approximately 110 passengers per train.  This was significant increase over FY 2007, although the train's financial performance in FY 2008 was worse than in FY 2007.  It covered its operating costs in 2007, whereas it was unable to do so in 2008.  Amtrak has one train a day between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City.  Greyhound, by comparison, hoists five buses each way.  In FY 2008 it carried approximately 290,000 passengers compared to 80,892 on the Heartland Flyer. If Amtrak must hoist long distance passenger trains, then it should optimize the service in Texas.  It should not expand the system in the U.S.  It should, if possible, get out of the long distance train business. The incoming administration has asked Americans where there is waste that can be cut from the federal budget, which is headed toward a $1 trillion deficit.  One small contribution would be the elimination of the long distance passenger train, which is used by a very small per cent of travelers
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