Amtrak: Are these trains in danger?

[Anonymous]

I come to the professionals. You are the Trains.com railroading professionals. I ask if you know anything on the condition of certain passenger trains. I am also planning a trip and what train is a must ride. A must ride Amtrak train is one with scenery as well as not likely being around in the future due to cuts.

What train should I ride before they get rid of it. Example-Three Rivers.

Also, Are these trains endangered?
1.Three Rivers
2. The Crescent
3. Siver Service

[Anonymous]

i read on the news wire that the "three rivers"was to be cut,if not already gone.

[Puckdropper]

Ride them all!

If you've got time, take a look in to getting Amtrak Rail passes. For about $500 for 30 days you can travel between the US and Canada. I don't know what they've got included, but it looks fun...

[CG9602]

In one sense, Amtrak's trains are in danger of termination every year, and have been for each year since Amtrak took over the trains from the private freight railroads in 1971. I've made certain to get my rides in whenever I can ever since I graduated high school in 1987. There were several years with no rides at all, and a couple years with several rides.

I think that our elected representatives, while they vote for more and more funding for air service & highways, will fund the northeast corridor only if they get their trains. Several of the people's elected representatives are unwilling to let national service die on their watch, and there have been a few proposals put forward to come up with some sort of long-term funding (similar to a Trust Fund), however, any issue related to Amtrak is guaranteed to be held hostage by those who are blinded by their own ideology. (Edit: there are even those here who think that it's just fine to spend taxpayer money on airports and highways - which don't come close to being profitable - while Amtrak should "make money." I'd think that almost all members here would be in support of more trains of all type overall, not less, and be willing to hold highways & air service - and the related infrastructure- to the same standards that Amtrak is expected to achieve.)

Sorry to digress. The Three Rivers is slated for being truncated back to Pittsburgh PA as of the Spring 2005 timetable change. The Cresent is under no more threat of discontinuance than any of the other Amtrak LD trains. Same with the Silver Service (though I have a hard time imagining the Services to Florida being terminated, seeing as they are amonst the most heavily used).

I'm going to be taking yet another trip from Minnesota to Florida this spring and looking forward to every minute of it. My attitude? It will be a sorry, sad day in the event this country discontinues the passenger trains. There is really something special about a train trip. CHPENNSYLVANIA, tell us all how the trip goes when you take it.

[MP57313]

Not sure what segments you plan to ride. Coach on the northbound Crescent is often sold out in Virginia; I finally was able to ride it a year ago by buying space on a sleeper.

[RudyRockvilleMD]

We could all take out our ouija boards or our dart boards, and come up with a list of endangered Amtrak trains. Some trains are more endangered than others. The Three Rivers will soon be a goner west of Pittsburgh; however, no loss from a scenery standpoint as the best part of the line is between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. The Crescent and the Florida trains are safe for now, but I think the Cardinal, the Sunset Limited, and posibly the Texas Eagle are on borrowed time.

[AntonioFP45]

I recently saw the Silver Star at Tampa Union Station. This train was full.
Twelve cars long and only one locomotive on the front! I was really surprised.

It will be the same old game year after year. No "Single" politician wants to get the reputation of bing the Senator that helped kill Amtrak! ( Though of course, except for Sen. John McCain)

[SteelMonsters]

RAILFAN 4 PREZZZ!!!!!!111!!!11!!!11!11!1


As much as I like to see Amtrack continue on, they are not self supporting and could easily be determined to be "excess baggage." The only thing I can see helping rail is numerous air related terrorist attacks/threats. Airtravel has had better numbers than rail for almost a half a century.

[jokestre]

I hear Three rivers is soon to be done--- it was fun riding that train back in 98 I sure enjoyed riding over Horseshoe Curve.

[jokestre]

I hear Three rivers is soon to be done--- it was fun riding that train back in 98 I sure enjoyed riding over Horseshoe Curve.

[cnw4001]

If you ride the Three Rivers before it's Chicago-Pittsburgh segment ends in the spring be aware there are no sleeping accomodations on the train so you sit up all night.