I am starting a new thread since it occurred to me in my topic on the National status of the rail system that perhaps something else might work?
I still have the ad that the Illinois Central Published announcing the "End of the Panama Limited" It shows a conductor waving goodbye from the open door of one of the cars. Nearly a tear jerker of an ad for sure. It mentions how "sad" they are to see this grand train come to an end due to lack of passenger support. ( that may or may not have been the case in reality?). What I think was mentioned however was odd, it said that although the time had come to end this famous train, that perhaps a day might again come when the traveling public would support it once again and it might return?
Sounded good any way!
So since we seem to agree that Amtrak is not doing the worlds best job at providing anything remotely like the service the old mainline companies once provided that perhaps there is a way to incentivize the railroads to provide those routes we all wish were back? It would have a couple benefits hopefully. One that comes to mind is that again you could get on a train and not feel like you just got off it! That in it self would be a big plus to me. It might not mean a thing to the newer supporters of all things amtrak, but again people have proven they will choose a trip based on the surroundings offered, if given a choice.
Could it be that railroads could provide the new equipment that reflected their personal taste and selection and be given a tax write off for doing so. Then could the actual cost reflected in operating the trains be subsidized beyond what the revenue brings in? It wouldn't seem it could be any worse than what is happening now and might mean a lot better service and route structure. The minimum system would have to be no less than what amtrak currently runs and guidelines for on time performance would have to be maintained.
I think I have read here on occasion that some railroads have mentioned they weren't totally opposed to considering passenger service again? Maybe something like this could spark renewed interest. As long as they can cover the bottom line and promote their companies, which is why many operated the "flagship" trains they did, it might be a win win situation..
Pipe dream"
I still have the ad that the Illinois Central Published announcing the "End of the Panama Limited" It shows a conductor waving goodbye from the open door of one of the cars. Nearly a tear jerker of an ad for sure. It mentions how "sad" they are to see this grand train come to an end due to lack of passenger support. ( that may or may not have been the case in reality?). What I think was mentioned however was odd, it said that although the time had come to end this famous train, that perhaps a day might again come when the traveling public would support it once again and it might return?
Sounded good any way!
So since we seem to agree that Amtrak is not doing the worlds best job at providing anything remotely like the service the old mainline companies once provided that perhaps there is a way to incentivize the railroads to provide those routes we all wish were back? It would have a couple benefits hopefully. One that comes to mind is that again you could get on a train and not feel like you just got off it! That in it self would be a big plus to me. It might not mean a thing to the newer supporters of all things amtrak, but again people have proven they will choose a trip based on the surroundings offered, if given a choice.
Could it be that railroads could provide the new equipment that reflected their personal taste and selection and be given a tax write off for doing so. Then could the actual cost reflected in operating the trains be subsidized beyond what the revenue brings in? It wouldn't seem it could be any worse than what is happening now and might mean a lot better service and route structure. The minimum system would have to be no less than what amtrak currently runs and guidelines for on time performance would have to be maintained.
I think I have read here on occasion that some railroads have mentioned they weren't totally opposed to considering passenger service again? Maybe something like this could spark renewed interest. As long as they can cover the bottom line and promote their companies, which is why many operated the "flagship" trains they did, it might be a win win situation..
Pipe dream"