Some discussion here: http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/198777.aspx
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
I did not see the comments but its of no surprise. Remember Romney is a conservative.No one on the far right is going to support a program such as psgr rail. Not saying thats right or wrong. Just the way it is.
I saw Mitt Romney at a town hall forum in 2008. I asked him about what his transportation policy would
be. Among his answers, he was of the same mind as John McCain. Passenger rail in regional corridors
makes sense. Long haul passenger trains don't. He is trying to play to the tea party base right now.
I guess I'm part of "No one on the far right .." who does support passenger rail when it makes sense. I'm also getting weary of conservatives being classified as unanimously opposed to passenger rail programs. Can't we discuss the merits of various passenger services without making political assumptions?
Here are two examples of how I would view passenger rail:
- Region service to Lynchburg. Great idea and we should use it as a model in other parts of the country.
- Southwest Chief route over Raton Pass. Beautiful scenery but we can't afford to maintain all those miles of otherwise unused track for two trains a day. A lot of regional service could be provided for the same amount of money. Re-route it or drop it.
Sorry if my comments get the thread locked, but sometimes you have to speak up.
I am a hard core Liberal, but I believe that well done corridor service should be the priority. In some markets, connecting corridors would result in some long distance trains, but most long distance routes don't serve their markets well. There just is not enough need to support reasonable frequency.
Fast, frequent, and on time. If you can't do that then you are just spinning your wheels. One train a day is not useful transportation.
Unfortunately, politicians prefer to touch as many voters' lives as possible rather than do the job right for fewer voters. As a result, government projects are always over extended and serve no one well.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
for some reason it did a duplicate post
Phoebe Vet In some markets, connecting corridors would result in some long distance trains, but most long distance routes don't serve their markets well. There just is not enough need to support reasonable frequency. Fast, frequent, and on time. If you can't do that then you are just spinning your wheels. One train a day is not useful transportation.
In some markets, connecting corridors would result in some long distance trains, but most long distance routes don't serve their markets well. There just is not enough need to support reasonable frequency.
Phoebee: Slightly off topic but while looking at bookings for the Thanksgiving period it was noted that Amtrak is collecting almost the same fares short distance on the NEC as the long distance routes end to end. So maybe the fast frequent model is beiing applied in the NEC ?
I suspect that Amtrak equipment can run on the NEC 1 - 1/2 to 2 round trips during any day. That is much more revenue than can be raised on long distance trains using that equipment. That may indicate that all spare equipment ( coaches ) is being put into the NEC. The use of commuter equipment on the NEC Sunday seems to indicate this as well ??
What will be indicative is car counts on the varioous conventional cars trains.
Phoebe Vet I am a hard core Liberal, but I believe that well done corridor service should be the priority. In some markets, connecting corridors would result in some long distance trains, but most long distance routes don't serve their markets well. There just is not enough need to support reasonable frequency. Fast, frequent, and on time. If you can't do that then you are just spinning your wheels. One train a day is not useful transportation. Unfortunately, politicians prefer to touch as many voters' lives as possible rather than do the job right for fewer voters. As a result, government projects are always over extended and serve no one well.
I agree with all you have said. One of the best statements about rail passenger service I've read in a while.
bedell I guess I'm part of "No one on the far right .." who does support passenger rail when it makes sense. I'm also getting weary of conservatives being classified as unanimously opposed to passenger rail programs. Can't we discuss the merits of various passenger services without making political assumptions?
Good to hear. Too bad some politicians have turned passenger rail service into a "litmus test" political issue. I agree with Phoebe and others to the converse of what you said. Liberals are not 100% in favor of all types of passenger service. As both of you (plus others, including sam) have said, the only routes where actual fast, frequent service is possible are the under 500 miles corridors, whether HSR or slower. The longer routes handle a small fraction of Amtrak's passenger load currently, are very expensive to operate and could never provide a competitive service even with many trains each day. The fixed factors of distance and elapsed time door to door make those longer routes a drain on Amtrak. The equipment freed up by d/cing those lines could be used on many other short corridors to provide real service.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
I have made the case for long distance passenger service so often that I get tired of repeating myself. All this has been asnwered on earlier postings. But I do agree corridors should have the priority for upgrading and new equipment plus greater frequencies.
Fast, frequent, and on time!
I would rather see three car trains 4 times a day than 12 car trains once a day.
Local mass transit that meets the train as it passes through would also greatly increase load factors.
Phoebe Vet Fast, frequent, and on time! Local mass transit that meets the train as it passes through would also greatly increase load factors.
Phoebe: If you have ever experienced the interconnections with both the Southern Ca and Capitol corridor trains you would realize how true your statement is. I could not believe it and when my better half went with me she could not believe how well it worked. Her only comment was why can't we have it here in Ga.
Had to explain the disdain of local politicians and the need for double and triple track. Freq service requires much infrastructure improvements.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.