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[quote user="BaltACD"] The one thing that everyone continues to overlook about Amtrak.  From it's inception by Congress it has been designed to fail.  The fact that it still exists is a testament of leadership to all those that have held the top leadership position....imagine defying Congress's intent for the past 38 years.[/quote] Designed to fail?  Maybe!  A better assessment can be found in the program which was laid on Amtrak's management.  Had the architects eliminated the long distance trains, which provide a relatively small share of the revenues whilst eating a disproportionate share of the operating expenses, and concentrated on a few corridors, where passenger trains have a chance for success, the results probably would have been different.   With some minor tweaking of the fare and cost structure, Amtrak could cover its operating expenses and contribute a significant amount to the fixed costs on its relatively short corridor routes. Unfortunately, Amtrak is a political animal, which contains the seeds of its inability to be at least a partially commercial success.  It has been whipsawed by political forces rather than run as a response to market demand for passenger rail services. Ironically, many of the people in the advocacy groups, who profess to love trains, have contributed to Amtrak's many problems through their 1950s. perspectives.  They keep insisting on running trains based on a bygone model that have no chance whatsoever of being viable.
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