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Do Better, Be Better.
Author: Raine
Date: 05/14/2015 13:05:06
Today's NYT Editorial Board wrote today something that many of us have been saying for years: Help Amtrak. Why is funding our infrastructure, particularly our rail lines, such a problem?
Because, according to WaPo, Republicans don't use rail travel. I would like to believe that the death of at least seven people would provide incentive to invest in our rail system. I would like to, but even during this tragedy, we know that the GOP subcommittee voted to slash funding for our rail system.
If our nation can subsidize airline flights for community airports, we should be able to make sure the country's busiest rail corridor can get people to and from their destination quickly and safely. Ironically (or not), this was the reason the top GOP representative said when asked why Amtrak should have its funding decreased: Here is the kicker:
Speed may have been a factor in the crash yesterday in Philadelphia but a lack of progress is what is slowly killing this great nation.
It is time for our elected officials to do better and be better for all of us. Our lack of infrastructure investment is starting to make us look like a third-world country.
We can do better.
and 
Raine
It may take a while to learn exactly why an Amtrak train speeding out of Philadelphia Tuesday night suddenly derailed on a sharp curve. Whether the train was going too fast or the equipment failed or it was something else entirely, the horrifying accident left at least seven people dead and more than 200 injured on one of the busiest train routes in the country.
Yet, Wednesday morning, while the wreckage lay on the tracks, the Republican majority on the House Appropriations Committee voted to cut Amtrak’s budget by about $260 million. That would reduce Amtrak’s already inadequate appropriations from $1.4 billion to about $1.1 billion.
As a result of meager financing, railroad experts estimated last month that it would take a $21.1 billion just to repair and replace existing assets in the Northeast Corridor that have outlived their “design life” — tracks, ties, electric wires, communications networks, major bridges and tunnels. That does not include new stations, bullet trains or expanding the system. That’s only fixing what’s already in use.
(snip)
People in countries like France, Japan, Brazil and Spain can depend on government to finance and improve their railway systems. American lawmakers are stubbornly headed in the wrong direction. To thrive, a national railway has to be fully supported as a vital government service.
Because, according to WaPo, Republicans don't use rail travel.
There are 184 congressional districts in which not one person got on or off a train in 2014. Sometimes, that was a function of there being a nearby station that saw many more passengers -- like the districts in Manhattan that don't include Penn Station. Sometimes, it's for the obvious reason that there are no rail lines operated by Amtrak (like in Hawaii). But the map above shows wide stretches of the country where rail service is simply not that commonly used. (There's an interactive version of that map below.)
Of those 184 districts, 116 are currently represented by Republicans. On average, ridership in Republican districts was about 41,000 in 2014 -- compared to 261,000 in Democratic districts.
If our nation can subsidize airline flights for community airports, we should be able to make sure the country's busiest rail corridor can get people to and from their destination quickly and safely.
The Essential Air Service (EAS) program began in 1978 to ensure commercial flights to small and remote communities. There are more than 100 different routes under the program today, and most of them offer multiple flights each day, but in many cases, the planes are virtually empty.
The cost to taxpayers for subsidizing those journeys has quadrupled in the last decade to a whopping $261 million, which has some lawmakers convinced the program is anything but essential, reports CBS News' Kris Van Cleave.
A 50-seat commercial jet leaves Denver twice daily for two remote North Dakota towns. When CBS News flew to Devils Lake, North Dakota, last week, a town with a population of 7,200, there were rows of empty seats and only four other passengers.
The Department of Transportation shells out over $6 million a year to fund that route, one of 113 in the lower 48 states servicing rural communities like Devils Lake.
Appropriations Committee Chairman Harold Rogers, R-Kentucky, said Wednesday that the cuts to Amtrak funding were forced by the sequestration spending cuts that were implemented in 2011. "We have no choice but to abide by the law," he said.
The Northeast corridor, where Tuesday's accident took place, is profitable. But Amtrak uses the profit from the corridor to bolster money-losing long distance train lines in other parts of the country, instead of reinvesting in the Northeast corridor infrastructure. Amtrak CEO Joseph Boardman wants Congress to set up a fund specifically to address crumbling rails and bridges on the corridor, some of which are 100 years old. One New Jersey bridge on the corridor, the Portal Bridge, which carries 450 trains a day between Newark and Penn Station, is 104 years old and needs to be replaced - at a cost of $940 million (in 2013 dollars).
Speed may have been a factor in the crash yesterday in Philadelphia but a lack of progress is what is slowly killing this great nation.
It is time for our elected officials to do better and be better for all of us. Our lack of infrastructure investment is starting to make us look like a third-world country.
We can do better.
and Raine
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 05/14/2015 13:32:42
Mondobubba on 05/14/2015 13:32:42
About the blog: 
About Republicans not understanding how important infrastructure is:
About Republicans not understanding how important infrastructure is:
Comment by 
Raine on 05/14/2015 13:35:09
Why thank you, sir!
Raine on 05/14/2015 13:35:09
Quote by Mondobubba:
About the blog:
About Republicans note understand how important infrastructure is:
Comment by 
Scoopster on 05/14/2015 13:42:58
Scoopster on 05/14/2015 13:42:58
Mornin' all. 
Getting really fucking tired of all these comment morons whining about AMAGAD HE WAS SPEEDING! when we don't even know yet if there was a mechanical failure (like the train's brakes or a stuck accelerator?). Never mind keeping up with remote backup control technology that's been in place in Europe and Japan for how many years?
Getting really fucking tired of all these comment morons whining about AMAGAD HE WAS SPEEDING! when we don't even know yet if there was a mechanical failure (like the train's brakes or a stuck accelerator?). Never mind keeping up with remote backup control technology that's been in place in Europe and Japan for how many years?
Comment by 
wickedpam on 05/14/2015 13:55:27
wickedpam on 05/14/2015 13:55:27
Morning 
Comment by Raine on 05/14/2015 14:02:02
I totally agree.
I am also really pissed that somehow we going over 50 MPH is unacceptable in today's day and age.
Fix the rails and we should be able to go MUCH faster than 50 MPH. PERIOD.
I have taken that train many times, it is an area where Septa, freight and am track share lines.
If we had the fortitude to fix this, this never would have happened.
Raine on 05/14/2015 14:02:02
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all.
Getting really fucking tired of all these comment morons whining about AMAGAD HE WAS SPEEDING! when we don't even know yet if there was a mechanical failure (like the train's brakes or a stuck accelerator?). Never mind keeping up with remote backup control technology that's been in place in Europe and Japan for how many years?
I am also really pissed that somehow we going over 50 MPH is unacceptable in today's day and age.
Fix the rails and we should be able to go MUCH faster than 50 MPH. PERIOD.
I have taken that train many times, it is an area where Septa, freight and am track share lines.
If we had the fortitude to fix this, this never would have happened.
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/14/2015 14:03:35
But Scoop, as we all know from driver's ed: SPEED KILLS!
Just because a curve has a posted speed limit of 50 MPH doesn't mean that you can't go faster safely. Shit, for all we know that the engine didn't cause a rail to fail because of poor track maintenance.
Mondobubba on 05/14/2015 14:03:35
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all.
Getting really fucking tired of all these comment morons whining about AMAGAD HE WAS SPEEDING! when we don't even know yet if there was a mechanical failure (like the train's brakes or a stuck accelerator?). Never mind keeping up with remote backup control technology that's been in place in Europe and Japan for how many years?
But Scoop, as we all know from driver's ed: SPEED KILLS!
Just because a curve has a posted speed limit of 50 MPH doesn't mean that you can't go faster safely. Shit, for all we know that the engine didn't cause a rail to fail because of poor track maintenance.
Comment by Raine on 05/14/2015 14:04:59
Raine on 05/14/2015 14:04:59
ALSO… and I know I quoted this in the blog….
assets in the Northeast Corridor that have outlived their “design life†— tracks, ties, electric wires, communications networks, major bridges and tunnels.
So that goes to what Scoop alluded to, we don;t know that it was just a case of the engineer making the train go too fast.
The equipment is past its design life, as in
IT IS TOO OLD.
I am angry about this. I love rail travel, and I wish it would be treated with the same love that other first world nations treat it.
assets in the Northeast Corridor that have outlived their “design life†— tracks, ties, electric wires, communications networks, major bridges and tunnels.
So that goes to what Scoop alluded to, we don;t know that it was just a case of the engineer making the train go too fast.
The equipment is past its design life, as in
IT IS TOO OLD.
I am angry about this. I love rail travel, and I wish it would be treated with the same love that other first world nations treat it.
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/14/2015 14:06:49
Oh, another thought, might it be that section track has a posted limit of 50 MPH as a safety precaution because there isn't the money to maintain it properly?
Mondobubba on 05/14/2015 14:06:49
Quote by Raine:I totally agree.Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all.
Getting really fucking tired of all these comment morons whining about AMAGAD HE WAS SPEEDING! when we don't even know yet if there was a mechanical failure (like the train's brakes or a stuck accelerator?). Never mind keeping up with remote backup control technology that's been in place in Europe and Japan for how many years?
I am also really pissed that somehow we going over 50 MPH is unacceptable in today's day and age.
Fix the rails and we should be able to go MUCH faster than 50 MPH. PERIOD.
I have taken that train many times, it is an area where Septa, freight and am track share lines.
If we had the fortitude to fix this, this never would have happened.
Oh, another thought, might it be that section track has a posted limit of 50 MPH as a safety precaution because there isn't the money to maintain it properly?
Comment by 
TriSec on 05/14/2015 14:07:01
TriSec on 05/14/2015 14:07:01
Until corporate America can profit from passenger rail, nothing will change. Follow the money, and in this case, there isn't any.
Comment by 
BobR on 05/14/2015 14:10:21
Who maintains the infrastructure for air travel? I think we all know the answer to that one. So why not rail travel too?
BobR on 05/14/2015 14:10:21
Quote by TriSec:
Until corporate America can profit from passenger rail, nothing will change. Follow the money, and in this case, there isn't any.
Who maintains the infrastructure for air travel? I think we all know the answer to that one. So why not rail travel too?
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/14/2015 14:12:19
Japan can get this built, why can't we?
Mondobubba on 05/14/2015 14:12:19
Japan can get this built, why can't we?
Comment by Raine on 05/14/2015 14:18:20
I guess I didn't communicate it properly, but that is my precise point.
I had a friend who was an engineer on Amtrak (NY-Albany was his main route) and even along the straight run, they had a limit of 65 MPH up the river.
It was because (and much of it was replaced) the railroad ties could not handle the speed any faster. They were rotting in some cases due to weather and age.
Mind you, most engineers on that line had to go faster to keep up with the train schedule.
Raine on 05/14/2015 14:18:20
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:I totally agree.Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all.
Getting really fucking tired of all these comment morons whining about AMAGAD HE WAS SPEEDING! when we don't even know yet if there was a mechanical failure (like the train's brakes or a stuck accelerator?). Never mind keeping up with remote backup control technology that's been in place in Europe and Japan for how many years?
I am also really pissed that somehow we going over 50 MPH is unacceptable in today's day and age.
Fix the rails and we should be able to go MUCH faster than 50 MPH. PERIOD.
I have taken that train many times, it is an area where Septa, freight and am track share lines.
If we had the fortitude to fix this, this never would have happened.
Oh, another thought, might it be that section track has a posted limit of 50 MPH as a safety precaution because there isn't the money to maintain it properly?
I had a friend who was an engineer on Amtrak (NY-Albany was his main route) and even along the straight run, they had a limit of 65 MPH up the river.
It was because (and much of it was replaced) the railroad ties could not handle the speed any faster. They were rotting in some cases due to weather and age.
Mind you, most engineers on that line had to go faster to keep up with the train schedule.
Comment by Scoopster on 05/14/2015 14:28:26
Scoopster on 05/14/2015 14:28:26
Comment by Raine on 05/14/2015 14:29:49
Wait, that's not quite right….
Raine on 05/14/2015 14:29:49
Quote by Scoopster:
How about some good news for a change?
Russ Feingold is BACK!!
Wait, that's not quite right….
Comment by Raine on 05/14/2015 14:33:23
Raine on 05/14/2015 14:33:23
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/14/2015 14:33:42
Bobber do you mean the air traffic control system only? There are a lot of parts of air travel that aren't in the hands of the gummit. Airports aren't necessarily owned by the states, cities or counties where they are located.
Mondobubba on 05/14/2015 14:33:42
Quote by BobR:Quote by TriSec:
Until corporate America can profit from passenger rail, nothing will change. Follow the money, and in this case, there isn't any.
Who maintains the infrastructure for air travel? I think we all know the answer to that one. So why not rail travel too?
Bobber do you mean the air traffic control system only? There are a lot of parts of air travel that aren't in the hands of the gummit. Airports aren't necessarily owned by the states, cities or counties where they are located.
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/14/2015 14:34:10
Mondobubba on 05/14/2015 14:34:10
Quote by Raine:I guess I didn't communicate it properly, but that is my precise point.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:I totally agree.Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all.
Getting really fucking tired of all these comment morons whining about AMAGAD HE WAS SPEEDING! when we don't even know yet if there was a mechanical failure (like the train's brakes or a stuck accelerator?). Never mind keeping up with remote backup control technology that's been in place in Europe and Japan for how many years?
I am also really pissed that somehow we going over 50 MPH is unacceptable in today's day and age.
Fix the rails and we should be able to go MUCH faster than 50 MPH. PERIOD.
I have taken that train many times, it is an area where Septa, freight and am track share lines.
If we had the fortitude to fix this, this never would have happened.
Oh, another thought, might it be that section track has a posted limit of 50 MPH as a safety precaution because there isn't the money to maintain it properly?
I had a friend who was an engineer on Amtrak (NY-Albany was his main route) and even along the straight run, they had a limit of 65 MPH up the river.
It was because (and much of it was replaced) the railroad ties could not handle the speed any faster. They were rotting in some cases due to weather and age.
Mind you, most engineers on that line had to go faster to keep up with the train schedule.
Comment by TriSec on 05/14/2015 14:34:53
Nobody has to pay to maintain the sky. Airport and ground handling falls under local authority, at least around here (see Massport). Building radars and running ATC is cheap, and look how much Reagan did to damage that.
TriSec on 05/14/2015 14:34:53
Quote by TriSec:
Until corporate America can profit from passenger rail, nothing will change. Follow the money, and in this case, there isn't any.
Nobody has to pay to maintain the sky. Airport and ground handling falls under local authority, at least around here (see Massport). Building radars and running ATC is cheap, and look how much Reagan did to damage that.
Comment by BobR on 05/14/2015 14:54:19
I meant everything associated with air travel. There's ATC, TSA, and airports (which are generally state or city-owned, but still a much larger cost than a train station).
Most planes are built in the U.S., while AmTrak trains are built in Canada. That's an industry that could revive jobs lost to car manufacturing going overseas. Corporate America CAN profit, if they just use a little imagination.
BobR on 05/14/2015 14:54:19
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by BobR:Quote by TriSec:
Until corporate America can profit from passenger rail, nothing will change. Follow the money, and in this case, there isn't any.
Who maintains the infrastructure for air travel? I think we all know the answer to that one. So why not rail travel too?
Bobber do you mean the air traffic control system only? There are a lot of parts of air travel that aren't in the hands of the gummit. Airports aren't necessarily owned by the states, cities or counties where they are located.
I meant everything associated with air travel. There's ATC, TSA, and airports (which are generally state or city-owned, but still a much larger cost than a train station).
Most planes are built in the U.S., while AmTrak trains are built in Canada. That's an industry that could revive jobs lost to car manufacturing going overseas. Corporate America CAN profit, if they just use a little imagination.
Comment by wickedpam on 05/14/2015 15:04:39
wickedpam on 05/14/2015 15:04:39
100% agree about the rail system here. Every season I watch Amazing Race and when outside the US they us the trains everywhere! Every time I say "why can't we have nice trains like that."
But no, here we have public transportation that seems to work not just against itself but also commuters. The VRE goes from Manassas passes my office and stops way down in Alexandria. I'd have to take a bus and walk almost a mile to get to the office - it would take almost 2 hours if I wanted to do that. Its crazy!
But no, here we have public transportation that seems to work not just against itself but also commuters. The VRE goes from Manassas passes my office and stops way down in Alexandria. I'd have to take a bus and walk almost a mile to get to the office - it would take almost 2 hours if I wanted to do that. Its crazy!
Comment by Raine on 05/14/2015 15:23:22
Raine on 05/14/2015 15:23:22
Comment by Raine on 05/14/2015 15:25:04
Also, my the spirits comfort this man and the 911 dispatcher. This si when I believe there are angels among us.
Raine on 05/14/2015 15:25:04
Also, my the spirits comfort this man and the 911 dispatcher. This si when I believe there are angels among us.
Comment by Raine on 05/14/2015 15:32:19
Raine on 05/14/2015 15:32:19
This arrogant prlck.
And yes, he is pedantic. She had heard Mr. Bush argue, a few moments before, that America’s retreat from the Middle East under President Obama had contributed to the growing power of the Islamic State. She told the former governor that he was wrong, and made the case that blame lay with the decision by the administration of his brother George W. Bush to disband the Iraqi Army.
I have hope for the future.
And yes, he is pedantic. She had heard Mr. Bush argue, a few moments before, that America’s retreat from the Middle East under President Obama had contributed to the growing power of the Islamic State. She told the former governor that he was wrong, and made the case that blame lay with the decision by the administration of his brother George W. Bush to disband the Iraqi Army.
“It was when 30,000 individuals who were part of the Iraqi military were forced out — they had no employment, they had no income, and they were left with access to all of the same arms and weapons,†Ms. Ziedrich said.
She added: “Your brother created ISIS.â€
Mr. Bush interjected. “All right. Is that a question?â€
Ms. Ziedrich was not finished. “You don’t need to be pedantic to me, sir.â€
“Pedantic? Wow,†Mr. Bush replied.
Then Ms. Ziedrich asked: “Why are you saying that ISIS was created by us not having a presence in the Middle East when it’s pointless wars where we send young American men to die for the idea of American exceptionalism? Why are you spouting nationalist rhetoric to get us involved in more wars?â€
I have hope for the future.
Comment by Raine on 05/14/2015 16:04:30
Does anyone really remember this snooze fest of a governor?
and are they going to be able to get a big enough stage for all these bozo's running for the GOP Nom?
Raine on 05/14/2015 16:04:30
I will announce my decision on 2016 on May 28th in New Hampshire @MorningJoe
— George E. Pataki (@GovernorPataki) May 14, 2015Does anyone really remember this snooze fest of a governor?
and are they going to be able to get a big enough stage for all these bozo's running for the GOP Nom?
Comment by Scoopster on 05/14/2015 16:15:46
Scoopster on 05/14/2015 16:15:46
Pataki. 
Comment by Raine on 05/14/2015 16:25:18
HE's so boring he couldn't get himself branded as Governor 9/11…..
Raine on 05/14/2015 16:25:18
Quote by Scoopster:
Pataki.
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/14/2015 16:31:57
Yay for her! And the cops who delivered the food.
I have a friend who does police dispatch. I have dropped this story on her Facebook page. :
Mondobubba on 05/14/2015 16:31:57
Quote by Raine:
Also, my the spirits comfort this man and the 911 dispatcher. This si when I believe there are angels among us.
Yay for her! And the cops who delivered the food. I have a friend who does police dispatch. I have dropped this story on her Facebook page. :
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/14/2015 16:32:27
Is he going to be the token adult in the room?
Mondobubba on 05/14/2015 16:32:27
Quote by Raine:I will announce my decision on 2016 on May 28th in New Hampshire @MorningJoe
— George E. Pataki (@GovernorPataki) May 14, 2015
Does anyone really remember this snooze fest of a governor?
and are they going to be able to get a big enough stage for all these bozo's running for the GOP Nom?
Is he going to be the token adult in the room?
Comment by wickedpam on 05/14/2015 16:39:21
I'm not crying....you're crying!
wickedpam on 05/14/2015 16:39:21
Quote by Raine:
Also, my the spirits comfort this man and the 911 dispatcher. This si when I believe there are angels among us.
I'm not crying....you're crying!
Comment by Raine on 05/14/2015 17:02:15
The story both makes me angry and happy at the same time.
but yeah, there are good people out there.
Raine on 05/14/2015 17:02:15
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
Also, my the spirits comfort this man and the 911 dispatcher. This si when I believe there are angels among us.
but yeah, there are good people out there.
Comment by wickedpam on 05/14/2015 17:08:43
Those are the people that keep me from falling into a very deep depression. Thing is our seniors shouldn't have to call 911 for food.
wickedpam on 05/14/2015 17:08:43
Quote by Raine:The story both makes me angry and happy at the same time.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
Also, my the spirits comfort this man and the 911 dispatcher. This si when I believe there are angels among us.
but yeah, there are good people out there.
Those are the people that keep me from falling into a very deep depression. Thing is our seniors shouldn't have to call 911 for food.
Comment by 
livingonli on 05/14/2015 17:49:53
livingonli on 05/14/2015 17:49:53
I do wish we had a good train system, especially as the post-9-11 rules and overcrowding have made plane travel more unpalatable to me. Also, it would be nice not to rely on car travel to go anyplace for those who don't have a car or don't have a good one for long trips. And I am off to my eye doctor appointment.
Comment by BobR on 05/14/2015 18:01:25
First it was cheap gas for cars, then cheap airfare that did the trains in.
BobR on 05/14/2015 18:01:25
Quote by livingonli:
I do wish we had a good train system, especially as the post-9-11 rules and overcrowding have made plane travel more unpalatable to me. Also, it would be nice not to rely on car travel to go anyplace for those who don't have a car or don't have a good one for long trips. And I am off to my eye doctor appointment.
First it was cheap gas for cars, then cheap airfare that did the trains in.
Comment by Raine on 05/14/2015 18:17:11
Raine on 05/14/2015 18:17:11
that's it. They reached 60 votes to proceed with fast track. 
Comment by TriSec on 05/14/2015 19:03:49
Nah, I blame Eisenhower. After WWII, Europe and Japan built railroads. We built highways.
That said, the freight system here is still solid-I've often wondered why nobody has invented a self-contained passenger module that could be handled like a shipping container...
TriSec on 05/14/2015 19:03:49
Quote by BobR:
First it was cheap gas for cars, then cheap airfare that did the trains in.
Nah, I blame Eisenhower. After WWII, Europe and Japan built railroads. We built highways.
That said, the freight system here is still solid-I've often wondered why nobody has invented a self-contained passenger module that could be handled like a shipping container...
Comment by BobR on 05/14/2015 19:10:16
Actually - that prompts another question: Doesn't CSX own a lot of the tracks that AmTrak uses? Why aren't they maintaining them?
BobR on 05/14/2015 19:10:16
Quote by TriSec:Quote by BobR:
First it was cheap gas for cars, then cheap airfare that did the trains in.
Nah, I blame Eisenhower. After WWII, Europe and Japan built railroads. We built highways.
That said, the freight system here is still solid-I've often wondered why nobody has invented a self-contained passenger module that could be handled like a shipping container...
Actually - that prompts another question: Doesn't CSX own a lot of the tracks that AmTrak uses? Why aren't they maintaining them?
Comment by Raine on 05/14/2015 19:39:54
in the NE corridor most of those lines are owned by Amtrak, I believe.
Raine on 05/14/2015 19:39:54
Quote by BobR:Quote by TriSec:Quote by BobR:
First it was cheap gas for cars, then cheap airfare that did the trains in.
Nah, I blame Eisenhower. After WWII, Europe and Japan built railroads. We built highways.
That said, the freight system here is still solid-I've often wondered why nobody has invented a self-contained passenger module that could be handled like a shipping container...
Actually - that prompts another question: Doesn't CSX own a lot of the tracks that AmTrak uses? Why aren't they maintaining them?
Comment by Raine on 05/14/2015 19:42:00
Hope this helps.
Raine on 05/14/2015 19:42:00
Quote by Raine:in the NE corridor most of those lines are owned by Amtrak, I believe.Quote by BobR:Quote by TriSec:Quote by BobR:
First it was cheap gas for cars, then cheap airfare that did the trains in.
Nah, I blame Eisenhower. After WWII, Europe and Japan built railroads. We built highways.
That said, the freight system here is still solid-I've often wondered why nobody has invented a self-contained passenger module that could be handled like a shipping container...
Actually - that prompts another question: Doesn't CSX own a lot of the tracks that AmTrak uses? Why aren't they maintaining them?
Freight rail working with passenger rail
Prior to Amtrak's creation in 1970, intercity passenger rail service in the U.S. was provided by the same companies that provided freight service. When Amtrak was formed, in return for government permission to exit the passenger rail business, freight railroads donated passenger equipment to Amtrak and helped it get started with a capital infusion of some $200 million.
The vast majority of the 22,000 or so miles over which Amtrak operates are actually owned by freight railroads. By law, freight railroads must grant Amtrak access to their track upon request. In return, Amtrak pays fees to freight railroads to cover the incremental costs of Amtrak's use of freight railroad tracks.
Comment by Raine on 05/14/2015 19:51:23
The North EasT Corridor information:
Raine on 05/14/2015 19:51:23
Quote by Raine:Quote by Raine:in the NE corridor most of those lines are owned by Amtrak, I believe.Quote by BobR:Quote by TriSec:Quote by BobR:
First it was cheap gas for cars, then cheap airfare that did the trains in.
Nah, I blame Eisenhower. After WWII, Europe and Japan built railroads. We built highways.
That said, the freight system here is still solid-I've often wondered why nobody has invented a self-contained passenger module that could be handled like a shipping container...
Actually - that prompts another question: Doesn't CSX own a lot of the tracks that AmTrak uses? Why aren't they maintaining them?Hope this helps.Freight rail working with passenger rail
Prior to Amtrak's creation in 1970, intercity passenger rail service in the U.S. was provided by the same companies that provided freight service. When Amtrak was formed, in return for government permission to exit the passenger rail business, freight railroads donated passenger equipment to Amtrak and helped it get started with a capital infusion of some $200 million.
The vast majority of the 22,000 or so miles over which Amtrak operates are actually owned by freight railroads. By law, freight railroads must grant Amtrak access to their track upon request. In return, Amtrak pays fees to freight railroads to cover the incremental costs of Amtrak's use of freight railroad tracks.
Northeast Corridor ownership
Amtrak soon had the opportunity to acquire rights-of-way. Following the bankruptcy of several northeastern railroads in the early 1970s, including Penn Central, which owned and operated the Northeast Corridor (NEC), Congress passed the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976. A large part of the legislation was directed to the creation of Conrail, but the law also enabled the transfer of the portions of the NEC not already owned by state authorities to Amtrak. Amtrak acquired the majority of the NEC on April 1, 1976. (The portion in Massachusetts is owned by the Commonwealth and managed by Amtrak. The route from New Haven to New Rochelle is owned by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Connecticut Department of Transportation as the New Haven Line.)
This main line became Amtrak's "jewel" asset, and helped the railroad generate significant revenues. While the NEC ridership and revenues were higher than any other segment of the system, the cost of operating and maintaining the corridor proved to be overwhelming. As a result, Amtrak's federal subsidy was increased dramatically. In subsequent years, other short route segments not needed for freight operations were transferred to Amtrak. Nevertheless, in general, Amtrak remained dependent on freight railroads for access to most of its routes outside the northeast.
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/14/2015 20:06:43
Compared to US distances, Japan, England, France, Germany & Italy are tiny. Rail makes sense. It takes about 2 hours to go from London to Manchester with trains leaving every twenty minutes. Takes about an hour and half to go from London to Paris. I was able to find these times doing a Google search for them. I tried to find time for a trip to Washinton to Chicago (Capital to 2nd city) All I could find was the name of the train, The Capitol Flyer and that its on-time arrival sucks that route.
Mondobubba on 05/14/2015 20:06:43
Quote by TriSec:Quote by BobR:
First it was cheap gas for cars, then cheap airfare that did the trains in.
Nah, I blame Eisenhower. After WWII, Europe and Japan built railroads. We built highways.
That said, the freight system here is still solid-I've often wondered why nobody has invented a self-contained passenger module that could be handled like a shipping container...
Compared to US distances, Japan, England, France, Germany & Italy are tiny. Rail makes sense. It takes about 2 hours to go from London to Manchester with trains leaving every twenty minutes. Takes about an hour and half to go from London to Paris. I was able to find these times doing a Google search for them. I tried to find time for a trip to Washinton to Chicago (Capital to 2nd city) All I could find was the name of the train, The Capitol Flyer and that its on-time arrival sucks that route.
Comment by Raine on 05/14/2015 20:07:54
Raine on 05/14/2015 20:07:54
I am SO disappointed… I was all psyched up only to be let down….
Link. and that's not all….
HE's gonna support Bush.
Link.
As I look forward, I have decided not to seek the Republican nomination for president. I believe I can make the strongest contribution to our future by continuing as a clear and consistent advocate for a strong Reaganite foreign policy that values peace through strength.
While I am not a candidate, I am certainly not going to sit this election out, and I’m counting on your ongoing support to defend America’s national security interests.
HE's gonna support Bush.
Comment by Raine on 05/14/2015 20:27:36
Raine on 05/14/2015 20:27:36
WE have some kinda happening here in DC. 3dead one critical (or dead depending on the source)
This is very close to the NAtional cathedral and the Naval academy.
@jackiebensen @nbcwashington @NBC4DC ? Is it a govy official that had the fire?
— the Gemini NAYLOROAD (@nayloroad) May 14, 2015This is very close to the NAtional cathedral and the Naval academy.
Comment by Raine on 05/14/2015 20:38:07
ATF is also on the scene.
Raine on 05/14/2015 20:38:07
Quote by Raine:
WE have some kinda happening here in DC. 3 dead one critical (or 4 dead depending on the source)NBC reports.@jackiebensen @nbcwashington @NBC4DC ? Is it a govy official that had the fire?
� the Gemini NAYLOROAD (@nayloroad) May 14, 2015
This is very close to the NAtional cathedral and the Naval academy.
Comment by Raine on 05/14/2015 21:14:47
I MUST SEE THIS MOVIE.
Raine on 05/14/2015 21:14:47