Unlike the mean Stewardess on airlines the Amtrak staff are all stand up comedians. On my latest trip on the SuperChief one guy said on the PA, "Look to your left and you will see Summer cows. Yes Summer black, summer white and summer brown".
A sure money loser?
I grew up in Japan, train capital of the world, and have been back often since. I love trains.
In America, practically all trains are money pits, and take more time to get somewhere than driving, much less flying. When we clean out the DEI from airline staff and controllers, flying will be the safest way to travel once again, and except for Boswash, passenger trains are generally a waste of money.
Rail fan here who has ridden most of Amtrak’s long routes. The train cannot be beat when it comes to sitting back and enjoying spectacular scenery, great food and a comfortable bed in the sleeping cars. Try it.
Long distance rail travel is enjoyable if one has the time for it. In the modern world most don’t, and air travel is preferred for it expediency. Long distance rail lines almost always run at a loss paid for by the government. A more practical improvement would be to improve train connections to airports to aid travelers. I would start by connecting JFK, NY with Newark, NJ with one train rather than a bus that gets stuck in traffic, or three different trains as is now the case. That stated, air travel has become miserable due to too much government deregulation of basic traveler comfort and consumer protection.
Amtrack is a welfare queen. If they can’t make it with fares, let it die. Worst travel experience I had was on Amtrack from Los Angeles up to Seattle. Train broke down at the Oregon border for a full day. They ran out of water and food and the toilets all filled up. What would have been a three hour flight for the same price was a three day disaster.
How many stops could Amtrak make in Baker City? Only about 10,000 people in the whole town.
Denver to Portland is a three hour flight, about an 18 hour drive. How long by train?
Cross country trail trip would be interesting, but I do think many others would share that sentiment. I know Amtrak is a financial arterial bleed, but it won’t be interesting to see what Elon Musk would do with it. Or the post office.
Passenger trains went out of business for a variety of reasons, but mostly due to time and convenience. For business travel it’s a no brainer a few hours on a plane or a day or more on a train. For a leisure trip arriving at your destination means having to rent a car or depend on services like Uber. Not a cheap option if you want to sight see in an area. I love trains and traveled as a kid across the country on family vacations, but looking at the cost and having to make other travel arrangements at my destination I doubt I will travel by train.
I’ve been looking at videos on YouTube of train travel in Japan and Europe.
I’ve come to one conclusion.
AMTRAK sucks.
Acela is there for Deep State, and ghe rest just provides cover for Acela service.
We need to get rid of AMTRAK and allow private biz to take over train travel.
Many of us remember freeper Willie Green, who never met a train route he didn’t love. He disappeared long ago.
If we are going to make train routes based on political pressure, then we cannot get upset with Amtrak for losing money.
I have ridden Amtrak many years ago, and I had no problem with the New Haven to DC route. My experience going to Chicago on a train was less than perfect, as it seemed to go around 15 miles per hour on some track in Indiana. It wound up being a 23 hour trip. I cannot argue with skipping the airport experience, especially if business takes you to a central hub and a rental car can be avoided.
If it’s a good idea, it doesn’t need federal funds. If it’s a bad idea, it should be ignored until somebody can turn it into a good idea.
Oh the great days of train travel on Santa Fe system Amtrak is more like a cattle car with seats.
People in Denver, Portland, and everywhere in between, should be free to invest as much of their own money as they want in railroad passenger service.