“So are the private freight carriers.
And they’re the ones that control the tracks.”
Yes, but they have to turn a profit, Amtrak does not, and it never has, and never will.
If Amtrak had priority use of freight tracks they would still lose money, because it’s not about profit for them, it’s about union jobs, and it’s about keeping stops in podunk towns that influential congressmen want to keep on the map.
I would prefer that freight companies forbade Amtrak from using their tracks - which would prevent Amtrak from operating and save taxpayers money. That is just a dream I have.
Yes, but they have to turn a profit, Amtrak does not, and it never has, and never will.
Do the Interstate Highways make a profit?
No, they don't. Most of the Interstates are subsidized "freeways" that don't generate any revenue at all.
Put toll booths on all the Interstates and then passenger rail will "pay for itself."
Agree in your total point on the unions. It’s true, and the people they have are increasingly hostile on board. I do not tip car “men”, and they don’t do anything more to get a tip, either. Agree that the tracks should not be shared, they should be dedicated- which may present a hassle at hub points to avoid collision. If the tracks were in no way shared then you could demand performance without excuses- although the Amtrak monopoly even then would prove a point that no competition creates failure and loss. Of course in the Gilded Age, the railroads and steamship story (Vanderbilts) is one of monopoly and single control. The public was never served well, but the technology for the time met the needs. Read on Wikipedia the story of Cornelius Vanderbilt— fascinating, especially the Gold rush of 1849 and Panama, Nicaragua.