On Trainorders.com there is good statement on Amtrak.

[conrailman]

IN Congresswoman statement on the Future of amtrak she made some great comments on amtrak. Go to Trainorders.com in the Amtrak Section.[:)]

[Anonymous]

I heard from CNN that Amtrak was either 3 million or 3 billion in debt. I don't know which one, but that is slightly more thne I make in a year.

That much in debt suggests some kind of problem.

[conrailman]

Anyone read that Statement about Amtrak?

[oltmannd]

I did.

Some of it was good. But most of it was the same old stuff. What I liked is that she outlined a few reasons she thought Amtrak should exist - about as close to giving Amtrak a "mission" as I've read. But, the only solution she entertains is "Amtrak as-is" which likely is not the best way to go about it.

Perhaps, since the battle is political, she is just setting up the battle lines. How the war will be fought and what the final positions of the armies will be still remains to be determined.

I think the pro-Amtrak forces need to embrace reform but steer it and fund it to their liking. That way, both sides can claim victory.