I’d like to think it was because Musk & Trump, having ridden the Lake Shore Limited
themselves, were unhappy with Gardner’s foot-dragging regarding the restoration of full dining car service.
But I’m going to guess his resignation is for another reason: He’s probably old enough to retire with a nice package and–here’s my main point–he probably just doesn’t have enough “gas in the tank”–to fight the upcoming fights that will be necessary to keep Amtrak together and its funding sufficient.
Maybe he can just read the room well.