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new Viewliners -- possible sleeper route assignments ?

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In FY12 the long distance trains carried 15.2 per cent of Amtrak's passengers and generated 25.6 per cent of ticket revenues.  They racked-up 41 per cent of the costs before depreciation, interest and other charges, and they accounted for 76.5 per cent of the operating losses. Sleeping car passengers made up 14.6 per cent of long distance riders and brought in 35.2 per cent of long distance revenues, but they only accounted for 2.2 per cent of system riders and nine per cent of system revenues.   I have not worked up the numbers that include depreciation, interest and other charges for FY12, but assuming they are not dramatically different from the FY11 numbers (Amtrak's numbers don't change dramatically from one year to another.), it appears that the long distance trains accounted for approximately 45 per cent of Amtrak's total losses. Which raises a question in my mind. Why would a business spend millions for 130 cars (approximately) for its weakest product line?  Most business people I know would take one look at the numbers, go to the board (Congress), and tell them to get out of the long haul business and concentrate on those product lines that have a reasonable probability of at least covering the operating costs. Here is another question.  What other rail systems are buying new sleeping cars for regular service?
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