Bring Back UP'sCity of Everywhere'

[henryj]

With all the flooding, fires and whatever and three of Amtrak's four western LD trains out of service I think it's time to bring back the UP's infamous 'City of Everywhere'. It was the City of LA, City of San Francisco and City of Portland combined. It split at Denver and Ogden.

 

[railiner]

Or even the more recent combined Amtrak 5, 25, and 35 California Zephyr, Pioneer, and Desert Wind which ran as one from Chicago to Salt Lake City before splitting. Later, the Pioneer split off at Denver.

 

[jphjaxfl]

I think UP might have something to say about bringing back the City of Everywhere. When Amtrak started in 1971, the only Union Pacific line that was continued was Denver - Cheyenne (Borie)- Ogden. UP wanted as few Amtrak trains as possible over its lines. As UP acquired other railroads like MP and SP, they also acquired more Amtrak trains. That is why UP has lobbied Washington to eliminate the long distance trains. Also from 1969 to 1971 when the City of Everywhere ran, it frequently ran late eastbound because if one of the sections (say the City of San Francisco) ran late, the other sections (City of Portland,Denver, Los Angeles, Kansas City) ran late because the train had to wait for the late section). Westbound was not as bad because the trains didn't split til Green River).

 

[Devil's Advocate]

As UP acquired other railroads like MP and SP, they also acquired more Amtrak trains. That is why UP has lobbied Washington to eliminate the long distance trains.

I believe that while it will take some time the anti-Amtrak lobbying will continue to grow in volume and urgency and will eventually pay off in the form of sweeping changes. I give Amtrak's LD network fifteen more years at most. By that time there will be no economical way to continue running today's equipment and with continued budget cuts there won't be enough money left over to buy enough cars to replace today's fleet with FRA certified hardware capable of withstanding routine involvement in numerous grade crossing "accidents."

 

[henryj]

As UP acquired other railroads like MP and SP, they also acquired more Amtrak trains. That is why UP has lobbied Washington to eliminate the long distance trains.

I believe that while it will take some time the anti-Amtrak lobbying will continue to grow in volume and urgency and will eventually pay off in the form of sweeping changes. I give Amtrak's LD network fifteen more years at most. By that time there will be no economical way to continue running today's equipment and with continued budget cuts there won't be enough money left over to buy enough cars to replace today's fleet with FRA certified hardware capable of withstanding routine involvement in numerous grade crossing "accidents."

I only give the LD trains three more months based on this story:

http://www.narprail.org/cms/index.php/main/act/

 

[eagle628]

As UP acquired other railroads like MP and SP, they also acquired more Amtrak trains. That is why UP has lobbied Washington to eliminate the long distance trains.

I believe that while it will take some time the anti-Amtrak lobbying will continue to grow in volume and urgency and will eventually pay off in the form of sweeping changes. I give Amtrak's LD network fifteen more years at most. By that time there will be no economical way to continue running today's equipment and with continued budget cuts there won't be enough money left over to buy enough cars to replace today's fleet with FRA certified hardware capable of withstanding routine involvement in numerous grade crossing "accidents."

I only give the LD trains three more months based on this story:

http://www.narprail....x.php/main/act/

See the big link that says "Take Action?" Do it!

 

[Devil's Advocate]

See the big link that says "Take Action?" Do it!

This isn't the 1960's or 1970's. Nobody cares anymore. The "Great Communicator" of the 1980's taught us that it's better to stop trying to think for ourselves and instead we should just sit back and let the market decide everything for us. If the market has decided that passenger rail is a scourge upon country that must be eradicated we should support that conclusion. Why bother to fight destiny? All you'll do is wear yourself out trying to slow the inevitable. :mellow:

 

[eagle628]

See the big link that says "Take Action?" Do it!

This isn't the 1960's or 1970's. Nobody cares anymore. The "Great Communicator" of the 1980's taught us that it's better to stop trying to think for ourselves and instead we should just sit back and let the market decide everything for us. If the market has decided that passenger rail is a scourge upon country that must be eradicated we should support that conclusion. Why bother to fight destiny? All you'll do is wear yourself out trying to slow the inevitable. :mellow:

Perhaps I'm idealistic, but I'm still willing to try.

 

[Tumbleweed]

See the big link that says "Take Action?" Do it!

This isn't the 1960's or 1970's. Nobody cares anymore. The "Great Communicator" of the 1980's taught us that it's better to stop trying to think for ourselves and instead we should just sit back and let the market decide everything for us. If the market has decided that passenger rail is a scourge upon country that must be eradicated we should support that conclusion. Why bother to fight destiny? All you'll do is wear yourself out trying to slow the inevitable. :mellow:

This has the odor of Socialism.....When markets control the country, it would be an easy step for the gov to control the markets......

 

[henryj]

I would think this is the time to ride that route you have been putting off. Ride as many LD trains as you have the time and money to do before they are all gone.

 

[Oldsmoboi]

As UP acquired other railroads like MP and SP, they also acquired more Amtrak trains. That is why UP has lobbied Washington to eliminate the long distance trains.

I believe that while it will take some time the anti-Amtrak lobbying will continue to grow in volume and urgency and will eventually pay off in the form of sweeping changes. I give Amtrak's LD network fifteen more years at most. By that time there will be no economical way to continue running today's equipment and with continued budget cuts there won't be enough money left over to buy enough cars to replace today's fleet with FRA certified hardware capable of withstanding routine involvement in numerous grade crossing "accidents."

I only give the LD trains three more months based on this story:

http://www.narprail....x.php/main/act/

See the big link that says "Take Action?" Do it!

Sent to my two local papers with Pittsburgh specific information about the trains.

 

[johnny.menhennet]

See the big link that says "Take Action?" Do it!

I sent it to the San Diego Union-Tribune, daily circulation 309,000