Financial Performance Chart-Texas point of view

[Anonymous]

Interesting chart. Don't blame Texas for the Sunset Limited's poor performance. No one in Texas takes that train, because this train travels thought Texas in the wee hours of the morning where there is a lot of population, and through the desolate but beautiful Cactus Jack country when there is daylight. Texans will accept some of the blame for the Eagle's poor performance, however, this train gets to its destination, San Antonio, very late at night or into the wee hours of the morning, again..

Notice that when a train does get to Fort Worth on time most of the time and at a decent time of day, the Heartland Flyer, the train makes money. Texans wi***he Eagle and the Sunset Limited would do the same. Remarkably, this chart shows Amtrak how to make money. The only other train actually turning a profit is the Acela/Metroliners. Which goes to show if you operate high speed trains on time at a decent time of the day along electrified double track (at least), you will make money! Too bad there aren't any such trains in Texas!

[RudyRockvilleMD]

Don:
Interesting comments. While the Metroliner/Acela Express Service turned a profit there are those who say it wasn't a true profit because it may not have covered all of the expenses; however that service seems to be covering its above-the-rail costs. I believe the Houston-Dallas-Fort Worth-San Antonio triangle might still be a good candidate for high speed rail service, its too bad it was stopped years ago.

[Anonymous]

I could not agree more. It is a shame that someone from Dallas has to take a coach ticket to Houston via San Antonio, and vice a versa. No need to pay for the sleeper, you will spend most of the night sitting on a bench outside the closed station at San Antonio....
It wouldn't be so bad if one could sleep in a sleeper.....