Private rail service faltered because of the heavy hand of government regulation. When that hand was lifted, private rail freight service flourished because the market demanded it. If there is a market demand for rail passenger service, lifting the dead hand of the government would allow private business to provide that service as well.
The historical fact remains that when there was a market for rail passenger service, private industry not only provided it, but provided it with greater comfort, speed and efficiency than the government does 60 years, and Billions of taxpayer subsidies, later.
The historical fact remains thatthat private transportation stagnates unless stimulated by government subsidy...It was government that developed our inland waterways with canals, locks and dams,It was government who subsidized the the railroads with land grants,