yad sdrawkcab s'ti
QUOTE: Originally posted by CPRboy This is what needs to change in North America. Amtrak, and VIA to a lesser extent, need to embrace the idea of running passenger trains not as a private enterprise, but rather a government service. With concern these days about congested highways, increased truck traffic, and a general shift away from air-travel, funding of passenger trains can result in economic benefits which many short-sighted politicians fail to see.
QUOTE: Originally posted by slotracer Should we FORCE cadillac to make buggies for horses because they did it at one time and a small amish population that actually uses them in this day and age still wants them?
QUOTE: Originally posted by slotracer The only people that take it on a wide scale are train buffs, people with time to get where they are going and want to make the train trip part of the vacation, those afraid to fly and those with the time and curiousity to try it vs flying. People do not have the time to waste traveling by train vs going air point to point.
QUOTE: Originally posted by slotracer To go from Denver to Kansas City, one needs to go to Omaha and then bus to KC, I can get to KC by air in an hour and a half......5 hrs including my time to and from airports, and security time. To go to less "major" cities, I cannot even get close by rail or have to travel so far out of my way it is a joke. So rail offers no service, time or other incentive to switch from air, why else would people go by train....Price?.....sorry in most cases rail cost close to the same and in many cases more.
QUOTE: Originally posted by slotracer Corperations do not exist to subsidize at a loss,
Willy
QUOTE: Originally posted by Willy2 Being a train guy I have to say that Amtrak should stay. I have rode it once and I am really itching to ride again soon because I don't know what its fate is going to be. Knowing how terribly unreliable it is is the only think that makes me think twice before saying that Amtrak should stay. If Amtrak does go a new passenger service should definatly be installed as soon as possible! Willy
QUOTE: Originally posted by Willy2 I must admit that It is terrible how the freight railroads treat Amtrak. I will consider contacting my local officials or at least I'll ask my Mom and Dad to contact them.
QUOTE: Originally posted by jeriley2002 I am amazed at the lack of knowledge and understanding of the economics of passenger rail service shown by the forum respondents. One would expect industry fans would have a deeper grasp of the subject than the idiological claptrap uttered here.
Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
QUOTE: Originally posted by oweonapc Amtrak is a political deal to keep people who see a need for trains (passenger) voting for the wheeler dealers in washington and the people who pay so they can keep running for office. Railroads only make money with freight! Sure, they play the books so it looks like that. They keep merging so there will only be a few left and they can do what they want. From a train crew to only an engineer, and now remote control switch engines. Pretty soon trains run by dispatchers and no crew. I am glad I saw a lot of trains and rode some in my life, now I can model what I want and dont have to answer to anybody. Man, did any of this make sense? Bernt T.
QUOTE: Originally posted by u6729csx AMTRAK is not the future of rail passenger transportation. At best AMTRAK is a watered down 1940's era product being sold in the 21st Century. Who of us want to by a 1948 Chevy for daily highway tranportation today. Not me. If rail passenger transportation is to have a future, High Speed Rail on a dedicated right of way constructed with 21st Century technology will be it. If we as a country, really desire to have rail passenger transportation in the 21st Century, then we must fund such a public works project. If we don't publiclly fund it, it won't get built and if it is not built, there is no future for rail passenger transportation.
QUOTE: Originally posted by artmark QUOTE: Originally posted by u6729csx AMTRAK is not the future of rail passenger transportation. At best AMTRAK is a watered down 1940's era product being sold in the 21st Century. Who of us want to by a 1948 Chevy for daily highway tranportation today. Not me. If rail passenger transportation is to have a future, High Speed Rail on a dedicated right of way constructed with 21st Century technology will be it. If we as a country, really desire to have rail passenger transportation in the 21st Century, then we must fund such a public works project. If we don't publiclly fund it, it won't get built and if it is not built, there is no future for rail passenger transportation. So how do we explain the fact that Amtrak trains are booked for months, and that folks want to use it? I would use it more if there was more service. I'm not speaking as a fan. I worked 30 years in train and engine service. The last thing I need is another train trip for entertainment's sake. It's a sound transportation medium. I am in favor of high speed rai. In fact I'm the art director for the Midwest High Speed Rail Association. The public will not get the idea until, in logical steps, Amtrak service is improved. If you use a safety razor, that's a 1915 product. (I use a straight razor. the idea for them came from way, way back, You can still buy new ones.) If you use aerosol shave cream, that's a 1940s era product. If you use an electric toaster, that's a 1920s product. I can and should go on but you all get ma drift. Hanging an "era" on any specific medium is silly if the item will still fill a need. The intercity passenger train, if only it were run on time with a good schedule, is perfectly saleable. Mitch
Mark Meyer
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