At the onset, I am not an Amtrak “lover” nor “hater.” I do enjoy traveling on U.S. and Canadian passenger trains - very much. I also love the memories of days gone by when the U.S. had some of the greatest passenger railroads in the world.
Then, along came the “end” and with it, the birth of Amtrak. Perhaps history will be kind to those who founded this idea of trying to preserve passenger routes in the U.S., while building for a better and more reliable “system.” We all know what happened - it has failed. But do we really know why? I think not AND I do not have the answers either.
I won’t pretend to know more than I do, nor will I cut 'n paste snippets of information in order to build my case. I’ll just go with the sad reality of the day - Amtrak is to cease operations in Missouri on July 1st. The nationwide shut down supposedly will occur on October 1st.
I am going to miss my round trips between Kirkwood, MO (just west of St. Louis) and Kansas City, MO - do that about 4 or 5 times a year. Going to miss my quick turnarounds between Kirkwood and Jefferson City, MO - do that at least twice a year. Really going to miss the long distance trains … Has it all been roses? Absolutely not! Some of the crews have been borderline incompetents, whereas others have been extremely professional. On time performance? Forget it. Rail fans look over that aspect … Always get the services you pay for? Hardly - but the Customer Relations folks are good about making it up the best they can, and they are just a phone call away.
Anecdotal and emotional soap boxes fill the pages of these forums regarding anti-Amtrak, pro-Amtrak - why at times you would think our national security was at stake - DUH - it is! But for a far different reason, folks - can’t blame “911” on Amtrak, but seemingly some of you would like to!
For me, I’ve written to my representatives and senators. From experience I know that letters get more attention than e-mail -
It has been oft’ said on this forum that “stamps are better than e-mails.” That may have been true before the Fall of 2001, but the anthrax-letter case has not been solved, and the men and women in Congress are very careful these days in opening mail (it takes them a long time). Senator Bill Frist, I believe, states on his Web site that he prefers e-mail to s-mail for that very reason.
I suppose all things being equal, some going to the trouble of mailing a letter gets more attention than someone shooting off an e-mail, but these are strange times.
It has not lived up to its mandate, because it was set up to fail. One of the biggest reason for this mandate for failure was that there was no source of funding. So, every year it had to do a dance for its funds.
It really amuses me to see one of you middle state guys just give up on a program that you have grown to use. Its like your saying “I’m not important enough to deserve this,” mean while back at the trough in Washington, every Big Business Buddy has hired every lobbyist in town to transfer more Corporate responsibility somewhere else.
As the lobbyist’s office space grows in Washington, the quality of life for plain folks gets worse. As a middle class American, my standard of living over the last 25 years has declined! The tax burden has been effectively transferred from corporate America, to working Joes and Jills like me and my wife.
Once Amtrak is gone it will only mean us plain folks will carry more of the burden, and one more benefit for the middle class is just gone…
I’m sorry, been working here in America for thirty five years, this country no longer has the highest standard of living, and yet productivity of Americans continues to out perform Europe and many developed Asian countries…
You know, I could go on and on and on, but what good is it.
CHECK OUT THE COUNTRYS THAT HAVE PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE AND SEE WHO PAYS THE BILL. THE INTERSTATE SYSTEM IS OVERCROWDED AND FUEL TAXES DON’T COVER THAT EITHER. THE AIRLINES GET THE MAJOR SHARE OF SUBSIDIES FOR SOME REASON. A LOT OF QUESTIONS , HUH???
A RETIRED RAILROADER.
Probably higher gasoline prices just like in Europe. Also maybe the Canadian road system is not as developed as ours is. To say why passenger service can suceed in like Europe & not suceed in the USA in my opinion is like comparing a apple & a orange as their are so many factors that go in to why it is successful in one country but not in a other. Just as a example in Russia ownership of a car is very rare so the only way to get from point A to point B is via rail. Also Russia has no interstate system whatsoever so it is actually quicker to take say the St. Pete/Moscow xpress then drive. [:p][:)][:D]
The death of Amtrak might lead to a lot more excursions and privately operated tourist trains. They may not all approach the luxury or expense of he American Orient Express, but for someone wanting a rail vacation, at least the windows will be clean, the food will be much better, and the seats won’t cripple someone with arthritis. They may also travel routes not served by Amtrak and pass through the best scenery during daylight.
The current administration hates government-run programs but loves privatization. I wouldn’t be surprised to see parts of Amtrak run under contract by companies with political connections like Haliburton or CSC. Whenever a lot of government money is involved, privatization allows a small percentage to be skimmed and ultimately returned to the politicians. The problem with Amtrak now is insuffiecient RTP&F - return to politicians and friends. How does it work in Europe - who runs the trains in Europe?
OK but does that proportional mean you have a like us coast to coast East/West & North/South interstate systems where you can buzz along @ 75MPH with no lites from one end of the country to the other? [:o)][:p]
Let’s see…
I’m a school teacher so I could complain about my pay. But I knew what I was getting into when I took the job, so I don’t say anything.
I hate Wal Mart too, but almost everyone else loves the place, so I don’t say much about that.
Gas prices are going up, and no one listens to us on that one either.
Vistalawn is yelling, but I doubt complaining will stop that.
I guess no one listens to me compain anyway, so I guess I’ll just shut up now…
So, some of you were “tweaked” by this topic, eh? Good - that was the intent.
Opine away - no charge for the soapbox on this forum![soapbox]
There is one comment that I cannot avoid - [banghead]
Well! Where to start? You obviously are referring to me and all you KNOW is what I wrote to start this topic. Hmmmm - painting with too wide a brush? How do you KNOW where I come from? Hmmmm - While I currently live in your so-called “middle states,” but maybe, just maybe I’m from elsewhere.
Anyway - so what’s wrong with the “middle states”? Is it something we have “said” or “done” that upsets you? You know, the middle of anything is rather essential in order to keep th
No, Chad, most intelligent people shut up because they don’t want to be whiners and complainers. They do their best to change things for the better by their actions, not complaints. Complaining about the things I mentioned won’t help me or anyone else feel any better, or change them for that matter. So I spend my time energy on things I can do something about. But thanks for saying that I’m intelligent!