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[quote user="D.Carleton"] Some time ago I crunched the numbers (I don't have the data in front of me right now) and basically the fares for sleeper space, when corrected for inflation, have not changed in over 50 years. [/quote] It would take a lot of work to get a comprehensive view of 50 year or older fare comparisons. Having said that, I took a look at what it cost to get a roomette from New York to Dallas in 1957 via the PRR.  The cost was $123.87. Adjusted for inflation as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator, which measures CPI, the fare would be $1,021 in 2012 dollars.   A roomette on Amtrak from New York to Dallas for December 12th via the Lake Shore Limited and The Texas Eagle would be $784. If one opted to go via Washington on a NE Regional (business class), then to Chicago on the Capitol Limited and down to Dallas on the Texas Eagle, the price would be $566. In 1957 travelers would have been responsible for their own meals, whereas today meals are included in the price of sleeping car accommodations.  Also, Amtrak's fares change significantly depending on the yield demand model calculations. When demand is high, the current fares could be significantly higher than those spot checked for December 12th.  As far as I know the fares charged in 1957 were fixed, i.e. they were posted in the timetable subject to periodic revision with the issuance of new timetables.   A historical comparison is made more difficult by several other factors.  In 1957 a significant percentage of the sleeping car passengers were business travelers. Their travel was covered by an expense account.  Today most sleeping car passengers are retirees, vacationers, and overseas visitors. They don't have the deep pockets that most business travelers had in 1957 or have today. This may be a major driver in the lower fares today than in 1957, albeit my very limited survey. Some have argued that the long distance trains are in the public good or public interest. Lets stipulate for a moment that this is a valid argument. Is it then in the public interest to offer premium accommodations on a taxpayer supported service that most of them cannot afford?
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