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I don't think Congress is reflecting the will of the people at all. Polls consistently show the public wants more rail development, but these polls don't get much press attention. A Harris poll not too long ago listed long distance and regional passenger trains as the two top choices for expanded transportation development. As for economies of scale, Amtrak's skeletal network precludes that now. Stations that serve one train a day in each direction probably aren't operating all that efficiently. I think that expansion is necessary for better efficiency across the system. But without a source of capital funding, as you point out, there is a bootstrapping problem. Funds for expansion would have to come from outside the system to get the ball rolling. Personally, I have no problem with a 2-4 cents on the gasoline tax to cover it. That's less than the weekly price fluctuations at the pump, and probably would go unnoticed, especially after seeing prices jump 50 cents during the last two summers. But before one asks for money, one needs to ask some baisc questions. Where are the potential riders and where do they want to go?  What sort of schedules would be convenient for people? What services and amenities do they desire and require? This sort of basic market research is step one. From that you can establish a route network, decide what sorts of equipment will best serve the system, and so forth. From this information you can establish a set of justifiable goals and from that develop a plan for implementing them. Only after you have a plan in place should you ask for money. Its the same with any business start-up or expansion.  But many rail advocates turn it around. They say Amtrak can't make plans without a source of funds. I say that's nonsense. Without a plan Congress has nothing to fund. Plan first, money second. That's the way it works.
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