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BNSF derailment disrupts Amtrak in Montana
That Nice of Amtrak giving free meals at local restaurants and movies in town making money from Amtrak. I will be on Amtrak 7 in 2 weeks going to Essex, MT from Chicago, IL. and 8 to chicago.
Just follow this to the logical conclusion. That conclusion would be, why is Amtrak even operating if a bus or two can handle the load? And odds are, the bus company providing the bus or two is making a profit while Amtrak is operating at a continuous loss. Of course to anybody who believes in Amtrak, losses are perfectly acceptable. It’s the concept that counts, along with feeling good about it. Never mind somebody else is paying the bill.
Amtrak remedied this disruptian for its passengers in Montana far better than United Airlines in Shanghai where passengers were stranded on a plane for three (3) days.
Amtrak remedied the disruption in Montana for its passengers far better than United Airlines did for its passengers who were stranded in Shanghai for three days.
“The Mull of Kintyre”.
One wonders why those who are so vehemently anti-passenger rail are even readers of “Trains” rather than “Bus World?” A case of know thy enemy - the enemy being those of us who like trains and more importantly might make our livlihood from them? One of these scrawls is unfortunately lacking in transportation knowledge not to mention analytical methodology - which is not rocket science even somebody like me who took two years to get through algebra can get it…you just have to understand the principles of bus bridges, passenger volumes, train length, etc. etc. As for a “bus or two” - not exactly. One observer who constantly polemicizes against any form of subsidized passenger rail states “Just follow this to the logical conclusion. That conclusion would be, why is Amtrak even operating if a bus or two can handle the load? [Short answer: They can’t.] And odds are, the bus company providing the bus or two is making a profit while Amtrak is operating at a continuous loss. [Amtrak doesn’t operate at a continuous loss - as in all transportation systems including highways some routes operate as a profit like several Amtrak state-subsidized routes in Virginia where Norfolk Southern and Amtrak give the taxpayers a return on their subsidies others might operate at a loss - American transportation infrastructure has always been like that] Of course to anybody who believes in Amtrak, losses are perfectly acceptable.” [Ho hum…where’s the analysis there?] Trouble with that statement is that it is not logical and is not based on transportation facts, period. I cut my teeth on rail and bus commanding military rail, sea, air and bus movements and spent years analyzing through puts, etc. of rail lines. This individual read the article and thinks a “bus bridge” entails one trip with a couple of buses. No…A “bus bridge” entails a SHUTTLE OF ONE OR MORE BUSES over an interdicted point. The Empire Builder would easily have 300 passengers onboard, nec
Mayhaps Amtrack should consider their own tracks as it was in the beginning,the same goes for in Canada as well. Pass. should be on different tracks to avoid problems!!
William Hays, you beat me to it. The first thing that came to mind.
Mr. Guse never misses an opportunity to turn a blind eye to federal subsidies to air transport (FAA), truckers (interstate highway system) or barge operators (Corps of Engineers). The amount Amtrak receives from the federal government is minescule compared to the money spent to keep airliners in the air and trucks on the road. I, for one, am tired of his pointless weekly anti-Amtrak rants.
To Mr. Mark A. Carolla, thank you for comments. I agree with you that those who are so anti-passenger rail even read “Trains” magazine. To Mr. Thomas S. Scrivener a thank you for your comments also.
I was on the Empire Bldr several weeks ago.
About six hours late getting into Chicago for various reasons
Three Amtrak reps boarded the train before getting into Chicago and set up shop in the lounge car making arrangemens for folks who missed connections to stay at the
Hyatt Regency. Dinner was served not only for 1st class psgrs but also coach. Conductor was very informative about the reasons for the delay. Only a few grumblers on the train.