posted
Had a look at it. It certainly has potential. But the "feature story" on the Empire Builder, I suspect, was solicited by Amtrak from a travel writer to "jump-start" the feature. It is awfully sunny, without even a single mild negative observation.
This is the kind of journalism we see in "booster" magazines designed to sell a particular region to tourists. Nothing wrong with it as such, but it needs to be taken with a grain of salt -- the reader needs to realize he's reading only one side of a story, the side the marketers want him to see.
I hope Amtrak has the courage to allow riders to post stories that tell the truth -- that discuss the bad with the good.
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
I hope Amtrak has the courage to allow riders to post stories that tell the truth -- that discuss the bad with the good.
Henry, there's a sentence in the introduction to "Whistle Stop" that starts with "If you have a fond memory of a favorite train adventure...". I think that pretty much says it all.
Besides, disseminating negative stories about a product one is marketing is likely to lead to a swift exit from one's employer. We can't realistically expect "Whistle Stop" to post anything other than "feel-good" stories.
Posts: 73 | Registered: Aug 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
The whistle stop feature was a fun read! Especially the Empire Builder story. The Autotrain sounds interesting. But I think 1702 definitely has a point regarding disseminating negative stories. This feature really is a form of promotional advertising. But I do have one question. Where are the tall picture windows in an amfleet cafe car on the Adirondack as mentioned in the story?
Posts: 498 | From: New Hope, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Whether one views the stories on Whistle Stop as boosterism or promotional advertising, one had best take them with a grain of salt -- or a whole handful.
My memories of Amtrak trips are all fond -- but they are not Pollyannish either.
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
