Despite the battle to gain funding, Amtrak has survived. However, is it possible that a number of long haul trains, are about to be withdrawn? Is this a repeat of 1979, when trains such as the “Floridian” and “North Coast Hiawatha” got the chop? Will the “sunset Limited” be cut out, for example?
John Coyle, Brisbane Australia.
Maybe for the long distance trains, but not the local/regional runs. For example, in Illinois there are going to be a handful of trains added to existing routes, but done so with the majority of state funds.
…It’s difficult to determine what might happen to long distance runs…but you are correct this is the time of the year some changes could be noted. Looks iffy for reviving the Sunset Limited across it’s full run but really I’ve seen nothing that really tells us just what might be happening in the near term to the long distance trains.
Who knows. I myself don’t think many of the long distance trains are going to go, if any. Amtrak has recently upgraded the Empire Builder, and the other two transcontinentals seem to be doing okay. The Southwest Chief, for example, is close to on time during its entire journey. The California Zephyr is a laughing stock when it’s coming east into Iowa; it’s usually 4 or 5 hours late! When coming west, it’s not too bad! Closer to the terminal, I suppose, but I think it’s mainly because of freight railroads like the UP holding them up. Speaking of that, I wouldn’t be suprised if the Sunset Limited was cut; it seems to be the worst train on the Amtrak system, time wise, thanks to Union Pacific and CSX, who in my opinion shouldn’t be hosting any Amtrak trains. They make them late. Let BNSF and Norfolk Southern do the honors.
I agree with SchemerBob. I can’t see any wholesale cuts in Amtrak service. There’s just too much political support for it. But, there is also considerable pressure for chopping subsidies for “pork” - or pawning some of it off on the states. The only way for both sides to declare victory is for there to be a sacrificial lamb. The Sunset has been the poster child for all that’s wrong with Amtrak, so it may be the one to take the hit.
They might also try to spin some sort of reorganization of Amtrak’s priorities along the line of “were going to maintain a basic national network, but we’re going to focus on growing corridors.” They can point to California, Illinois, Washington, Pennsylvania and Maine as states were there is state sponsored growth. If Amtrak can take the lead in doing multistate deals, that will likely statisfy both their supporters and critics.
A fundamental problem with Amtrak is how they’re funded. The model is “how much is it going to cost to keep doing what you’re doing?” instead of “for X dollars, how much service can we get?” The former provides less than zero incentive to improve operational efficiency or increase service. The latter, if you also provided employee incentives for measurable corporate performance, could change the whole discussion on how Amtrak should be funded.
So far here in Florida the New York to Florida “Silver Service” trains are running with heavy loads. I’m glad to see that some Heritage Fleet cars are still in the mix.
[#welcome]
John, Glad to see another forum member from down under! [#welcome]
I think we all hope that our long distance trains will last, I agree pretty much with what the other members said, but my personal fear, is that Amtrak will last only as long as the politicians see in it, enough political capital to get them votes. Those same politicians seem to lack the forsight to make permanent a dedicated capitalization program. It is sort of like the dog jumping for a biscuit, it will get it eventually, but only after it has had to jump for it a few times.[2c]
When they say that what they really mean is “cut pork for everywhere but my district,” as proven by the pedestrian walkway to nowhere across the Missouri River here in Omaha/Council Bluffs.
As to the issue at hand, I don’t see any long-distance trains being cut. The size may be cut to save on fuel and maintenance costs, but as long as there’s some demand the trains will exist in some form.