Quentin
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
QUOTE: Originally posted by jwieczorek Although no one asked, this is my plan for a "new Amtrak". Trains should be ONLY long distance. For example, The Capitol Limited leaves Chicago, stops ONLY at Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Washington. Wasn't that what "limited" meant, anyhow? All the intermediate stops can be operated by individual states or a consortium of states. Another example, the Empire Builder. Leaves Chicago, stops in Milwaukee, St. Paul, Fargo, Havre, Sandpoint, Spokane, and Seattle. Again, intermediate stops can be operated by teh states they serve. I have ridden both trains quite often, and have noticed that several stops (especially on the Cap. are also served by commuter agencies. This is an unncessary duplication of services. This may relieve Amtrak of running short distance trains to connect with the LD trains. As of now, all short distance trains are scheduled to meet in chicago for connections to LD trains. The dream is to free up capital to purchase more LD cars, for greater frequency, and esaier connections at more major cities than Chicago. I'm sure there are many, many flaws to this plan, but al that is missing is the political will to do this.
QUOTE: Originally posted by goduckies but why should people in hawaii or alaska pay for Amtrak, neither of those people, as sell as anyone in idaho, wyoming, north dakota, and many others who don't get the service have to pay fot it. The difference in Canada, is that they are a socialist society, we are not.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
QUOTE: Originally posted by RudyRockvilleMD Secretary Mineta's ideas for reforming Amtrak are seriously flawed. 1. Leaving thru long distance passenger rail service up to the states the trains run through raises the question, what happens if an intermediate state refuses to commit funds for operating the train? You don't stop the train in that state? yeah right. 2. The concept of separating train operations from infrastructure was tried in Great Britain, it was a collossal disaster
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