Happy Birthday and here's to many more sans midlife crisis.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
I think this can be an even happier anniversary than was the 40th.
Intercity rail passenger service continues to grow with its public acceptance, and there is only one provider of such; namely the Federal agency known as Amtrak. Furthermore, and of interest to this Forum, is that the Long Distance trains, even though they are outside the scope of meaningful transportation, have not seen a downgrade, and in view of the many reports here an imporvement, in the quality of their product.
I would hold no concern whatever when Candidate Romney stumps about his Red State base that is served by a meaningless "one a day at 0 dark 30" declaring "Amtrak will be shut down", for the reality is that in the several East and West Coast Corridor markets (and maybe even here in the Midwest), the services provided by Amtrak are meaningful.
Should there be a Romney Administration come next January (will there be a "double dip' between now an then?; will "we get hit?"; will there be a real scandal beyond the "boys will be boys" varietal?), I would not be concerned for the future of intercity rail passenger service and, for all intent and purpose, its sole provider - Amtrak..
Posts: 9981 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
Even without expanding the long-distance network, there are some improvements there that I wish Amtrak would pursue more vigorously -
Separating the running times of the southbound Silver Star and Meteor a bit more for instance.
The new Sunset schedule is a step in the right direction but still leaves a bit to be desired.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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