02-10-04 GUYMON, Okla. - Firefighters, law officers and railroad employees had a major mess on their hands after a train derailment early Tuesday.
Or (with tinfoil cap firmly in place)....Amtrak is trying to justify additional funding....they are not happy with the current funding being considered by Pres. Bush.
Amtrak presses for full funding
By Ledyard King..Gannett News Service..February 11, 2004
WASHINGTON -- Amtrak said Tuesday an administration proposal to give the passenger rail company $900 million is half of what it needs and would lead to a midyear shutdown.
Company President David Gunn said Amtrak needs $1.8 billion in its 2005 budget year to cover losses incurred from running its trains, overhaul equipment and fix deteriorating track along the Northeast corridor from Washington, D.C., to Boston.
"It gets pretty risky not to do the work," the Amtrak chief said. "We're not changing 200 miles of rail because it's fun. We're doing it because the rail is worn out."