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Maybe many of you are already aware of this good passenger rail advocacy site, but I just stumbled into it: www.unitedrail.org
I found it especially interesting to click on the various states on the US map and see some expansion proposals from enthusiasts around the country, especially the Utah one with Zepyhrs running rampant in all directions from Ogden.
Sweet dreams!
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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I have been familiar with URPA for some time. I have mixed feelings about them. On the one hand they have some excellent analyses of the economics of Amtrak, and they support the long-distance network. They have often pointed out that the LD trains financially outperform regional corridor trains in many ways.
On the other hand they recently came out in favor of the Bush plan for Amtrak, which I think is unworkable. They also tend to have a lot of "Amtrak can't get anything right" articles, even in reference to David Gunn's work, which is a turn-off to me.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
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Yes, Mr. Toy, I can relate to your mixed feelings about URPA, and I am glad to hear you share them. I am not that familiar with URPA, but one of their most vocal members, Andrew Seldon, is the president of our Minnesota Association of Railroad Passengers, of which I am a member. His writings dominate our newsletter (small world: I went to Sunday school with him back in the 50's).
He was a candidate when George Warrington was chosen to run Amtrak. Some of his points seem to have merit. He seems to have a vast knowledge of Amtrak statistics, but is, as you say, very critical of Amtrak management. I am a David Gunn fan, so I would be eager to hear these opposing points of view debated.
In a perfect Amtrak advocate world, it would be fun to let him try some of his theories to see if he could, as he claims, make Amtrak improve their financial performance. I included some of his claims from the most recent newsletter in the thread about 'Viable Alternative US Rail Routes'.
I wish I could tell you our MN newsletter was online so you could read some of his tirades, but it only comes mailed in print. In case you are interested, the dues are $10/yr sent to MinnARP, Box 580375, Minneapolis MN 55458-0375 with your address.
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