If the trains themselves were the special things they once were, aesthetically in and out as well as creature comforts, and they were also convenient for not just city people but suburban people, then maybe passenger trains might return to prominence. As it stands, though, it’s an effort for even day trips or vacationing, since access isn’t all that great. Need to rethink basic assumptions. I’d love to take the train on occasion, if it was pleasurable and rewarding. Can’t say that it is for the majority of the country right now.
Have you seen a Maryland MARC train? 800 people on each train coming into union station in DC every 20 minutes. It’s by far the best way to commute into DC. SAME goes for the VRE in Virginia and Amtrak for intercity.