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» RAILforum » Passenger Trains » Amtrak » (Un) Happy 49th, Amtrak

   
Author Topic: (Un) Happy 49th, Amtrak
Gilbert B Norman
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This 49th birthday has surely got to be the most distressed that Amtrak has "celebrated" in its 49 years of life.

How many of the "photo lines" out there on A-Day eve and then on A-Day. as well as those taking their "last and first" rides (mine; MILW 103 to Savanna, BN 10 return; MILW #7 to Milw MILW 305 return - paying to ride my own road) would ever envision Amtrak would be facing its present crisis. I can remember how renowned and published photographer, Bob Schmidt, produced a slide show depicting "The End" set to the Lacrimosa from Mozart's Requiem and for Amtrak's beginning, Beethoven's "Ode to Joy".

But 49 years later it's all different; COVID will end, but the fight to save Amtrak to provide meaningful transportation from a reduced - and not coming back for a long time, if ever - passenger base, will only begin.

Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Gilbert B Norman
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Appears Mr. Flynn is trying to "buck up the troops":

https://amtrak.com/anniversary

Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
yukon11
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman:

I can remember how renowned and published photographer, Bob Schmidt, produced a slide show depicting "The End" set to the Lacrimosa from Mozart's Requiem and for Amtrak's beginning, Beethoven's "Ode to Joy".

****************

It brings to mind the moving final scene from the movie, "Amadeus". Mozart being tossed into a pauper's grave with the Lacrimosa from the Requiem playing in the background.

I have to agree that it may be a long time before the Amtrak LD's return to their normal schedule, if they ever return. I don't think the NEC and other Amtrak commuter trains will be that much affected. There always seems to be something positive emerging when adversity occurs, even with Covid 19. Maybe just a few but high quality LD trains, either run by Amtrak or private. To quote Baron Rothschild, "The time to buy is when there's blood in the streets".

Richard

Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Gilbert B Norman
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It's too painful for me to watch, but here is the scene to which Richard refers:

https://youtu.be/TUt4DfGnyJQ

Bob has as much grounding in classical music as do I.

Now regarding the LD's, they appear to be more intact than the Corridor and Locally funded services. I observe 3-4, Chief, and 5-6, Zephyr often. Their consists reduced, but they still have both Diner and Lounge in their consists - even if there is only limited on-board servive.

LD's in Canada are the ones that have been whacked, as both Ocean and Canadian are annulled "until further notice", leaving Winnipeg-Churchill as the only overnight service operating up there (believe their Corridors are at "one a day").

Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
   

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