Tim_Metra
Train Attendant
Thank you for all your comments I think I would like to clear up a few things:
1) I did not know about the Amtrak Express situation. I am sorry about the confusion this created. What I was trying to describe was a series of short-haul trains within the present system. We can call them “specials” instead. These “specials” would serve between two cities within the present system.
2) Here some examples of “specials”:
a) Empire Builder Chicago – Minneapolis
b) Lake Shore Limited Chicago – Cleveland
c) Cardinal Chicago – Cincinnati
d) Texas Eagle Dallas – Little Rock
e) Crescent Atlanta – Charlotte
f) City of New Orleans New Orleans – Memphis
3) These trains should be scheduled at much better times to attract business travelers
4) These trains should skip at least half the small stations along route. (speed is key)
5) All the “special” stations should have Wi-Fi.
6) New Agreements need to be worked out with the Freight RRs to get better cooperation (maybe even pay more money)
7) Cooperate with the Freight RRs to improve the track/signals along the “special” routes.
These trains would only work if the average speeds of these trains can be raised to a minimum of 60 MPH. These “special trains” would be the forerunner of the new high speed service. It would also give Amtrak a “test market” for which high speed train service will be successful and which will not be. It will take years to get high speed service in place. The “special” trains could be a first step to introducing high speed trains to the American Public.
The American Public is not going to abandon flying. However as a small business owner I can tell you that the airlines have really made the public angry. Amtrak needs to focus on short haul trains <600 miles. Amtrak has the possibility to capture this segment of the traveling public; if it has the courage to act.
1) I did not know about the Amtrak Express situation. I am sorry about the confusion this created. What I was trying to describe was a series of short-haul trains within the present system. We can call them “specials” instead. These “specials” would serve between two cities within the present system.
2) Here some examples of “specials”:
a) Empire Builder Chicago – Minneapolis
b) Lake Shore Limited Chicago – Cleveland
c) Cardinal Chicago – Cincinnati
d) Texas Eagle Dallas – Little Rock
e) Crescent Atlanta – Charlotte
f) City of New Orleans New Orleans – Memphis
3) These trains should be scheduled at much better times to attract business travelers
4) These trains should skip at least half the small stations along route. (speed is key)
5) All the “special” stations should have Wi-Fi.
6) New Agreements need to be worked out with the Freight RRs to get better cooperation (maybe even pay more money)
7) Cooperate with the Freight RRs to improve the track/signals along the “special” routes.
These trains would only work if the average speeds of these trains can be raised to a minimum of 60 MPH. These “special trains” would be the forerunner of the new high speed service. It would also give Amtrak a “test market” for which high speed train service will be successful and which will not be. It will take years to get high speed service in place. The “special” trains could be a first step to introducing high speed trains to the American Public.
The American Public is not going to abandon flying. However as a small business owner I can tell you that the airlines have really made the public angry. Amtrak needs to focus on short haul trains <600 miles. Amtrak has the possibility to capture this segment of the traveling public; if it has the courage to act.
