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Railway Age has always been the railtoad industry's "house organ". That is its editorial content has always taken the industry's position regarding its affairs.
Now it appears RA has eclipsed TRAINS in taking favorable passenger train editorial positions with material you'd expect to read in the likes of PTJ or an RPA (NARP) newsletter.
This, to me, opinion piece just would have never appeared in the RA I knew during my eleven years in the industry:
This writer began working on this series on June 19. It was Juneteenth, the day an increasing number of Americans of all colors and heritages now view as an occasion to celebrate freedom. Part of the freedom that many Americans treasure is the freedom to travel, as stated in the First Amendment of the Constitution. The “right to travel” is one thing, in the sense that government cannot unduly restrict travel (as questionable as that assumption may appear these days), but there is also the issue that this sacred “right” can be limited if access to mobility is also limited. Millions of Americans who depend on Amtrak for part of their travel have lost a significant portion of the mobility they have today.
While I have not seen a railroad paycheck in now some thirty-nine years, the industry position was simply "we're stuck with 'em; sure won't lose any sleep if they simply folded up". As capacity has reduced, and "Precision Railroading" operating practices are implemented on all the Class I's, Amtrak operations will represent an even greater interference than in the past.
yukon11 Member # 2997
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I also thought it interesting that Railway Age would take such a pro Amtrak passenger stance.
The fact that Amtrak hasn't, as yet, posted timetables, on its website, for Amtrak routes after Oct 1 seems to me to be a little ominous. Oct 1st isn't all that far away.
I always thought of a fiscal year as July 1st through June 30. I guess things have changed since I worked for the govt.
Richard
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Here's the "second blast" from Railway Age:
This year, Americans held what may have been the most subdued observance of the Fourth of July in the nation’s history. There were few parades, town celebrations or fireworks displays in recognition of the nation’s birthday. In short, there were essentially no parties or events, so few people had reason to go anywhere.
The first article in this series, published on July 4, was somber as well. It outlined Amtrak’s threat to curtail mobility for millions of riders who depend on its trains. Americans have always considered the freedom to travel as one of the features that “Made America Great” but “America’s Railroad” (as Amtrak calls itself) is now prepared to require customers to consult a calendar to find out whether or not Amtrak will permit them to travel on the day they wish to take a trip
I continue to be astounded that RA is circulating this material. This magazine is the industry's "house organ" i.e. Fox News to President Trump. While I think the industry has long been Kubler-Ross Phase V - Acceptance with regards to Amtrak, I don't think there is a road out there that doesn't hold "if they'd just go away, who'd miss 'em".
Now here is their "house organ" promoting the expansion of this nuisance.
All I can say is "astounded".
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
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Look around, Gil. Being "woke" is the order of the day everywhere (except maybe in Florida, where it seems time stands still). I did note that today our local supermarket chain, Publix, has one-upped our hapless political leaders and mandated the usage of masks in all stores.
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