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Amtrak is a political creation that has drained the national treasury of more than $26 billion since its inception.  Amtrak's long distance passenger trains are politics piled on top of politics.  They require the highest level of per passenger and per mile subsidy of any form of commercial transport. The number of people who ride The Texas Eagle between southwestern Arkansas and northeast Texas to Dallas or Fort Worth is very small.  I lived in Dallas for more than 33 years.  I traveled to east Texas on numerous occasions on business.  I have taken the Eagle from Dallas to Longview and been the only passenger in the coach.  Most people drive DFW.  Moreover, those desiring to travel to other areas of the country can use the good regional air service out of Longview or take a bus.  The Texas Eagle is a political animal promoted by Senator Hutchinson, who by the way, to the best of my knowledge, has never ridden it other than as a stunt. The future of the passenger train in North America lies in those relatively few short, high density corridors where the cost to expand the highway and airway systems is prohibitive.  At a minimum, they should be required to cover their operating costs.   Ideally, they should be required to cover the capital costs.  Contrary to the views expressed by many people contributing to these forums, users of the highways and airways pay for them, although not always directly through ticket taxes or fuel taxes and motor fees.  They pay for them because of the large number of users who also pay federal, state, and local taxes, some of which flow back to the highways and airways.  Only passenger rail, especially the long distance trains, requires an major infusion of taxpayer money from non-users.
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