Trains

[mitlen]

I'm a train buff, so it's ironic that I was reading this yesterday just before the news broke of the Amtrak derailment outside of Philly.

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/05/where-did-amtrak-go-wrong/393137/

As a regular rider on the NE Regional and Acela between D.C. and NYC it's always been inexplainable how the US lacks a modern rail system that rivals or exceeds what is available in Europe, Japan, and China.  The Atlantic piece does a pretty good job explaining why passenger rail has stagnated in this country.

The key point, IMHO, is that passenger rail operates under a different set of rules from other mass transit systems - nobody in Congress demands that the FAA turn a profit, or that roads are profitable, but they bash Amtrak for not being able to turn a profit.

Trains are run by a government organization.    FAA doesn't run the airlines.    ICC doesn't make a profit nor the Army Corps of Engineers.   I don't know how it all fits together but the FAA, ICC and the engineers supply a means for private entities to move their wares.     IMHO Amtrak is a different animal.   Like you though, I really enjoy my train trips to NYC.

[GburgNatsFan]

15 months in the makin', but a well-conceived reply.

Trains are run by a government organization.    FAA doesn't run the airlines.    ICC doesn't make a profit nor the Army Corps of Engineers.   I don't know how it all fits together but the FAA, ICC and the engineers supply a means for private entities to move their wares.     IMHO Amtrak is a different animal.   Like you though, I really enjoy my train trips to NYC.

[tomterp]

15 months in the makin', but a well-conceived reply.

 

Easy on the old retiree now, he's got some time so he's going to read every unread post still out there and he's made his way back to May 2015, a nice mark.  At this rate he'll be 112 when he gets to some of Riley, or Kenz, or Senators2005 early rants.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

THOSE VERY AMATEUR RANTERS, NOT LIKE CAMILO

Easy on the old retiree now, he's got some time so he's going to read every unread post still out there and he's made his way back to May 2015, a nice mark.  At this rate he'll be 112 when he gets to some of Riley, or Kenz, or Senators2005 early rants.

[GburgNatsFan]

(I've done exactly the same thing, then deleted the post before anyone noticed.  )

Easy on the old retiree now, he's got some time so he's going to read every unread post still out there and he's made his way back to May 2015, a nice mark.  At this rate he'll be 112 when he gets to some of Riley, or Kenz, or Senators2005 early rants.

[mitlen]

We need a *yawn* emoji.

[imref]

Bumping a really old thread: Amtrak unveiled Airo today, a new modern train experience. Initially it will roll out in the pacific northwest, and then in the northeast, I assume replacing the NE regional and other NE cars sets.

https://www.amtrak.com/amtrak-airo.html

https://media.amtrak.com/2026/02/meet-the-new-airo-fleet/

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Until they get dedicated high speed rail beds it's still gonna be slow, noisy, jumpy ole Amtrak

[welch]

I will be taking the train to Washington for games. This weekend, I'm giving the car to my son since one of the grandsons has gotten his learner's permit.