Is Amtrak Entering The Terminus?

[Ocklawaha]

Right on the back of the FLAGLER 'All Aboard Florida' plan, some very interesting words that were found on the Forbes Magazine blog that might spell the end of Amtrak or at least Amtrak as we know it.

“I think the corporation [Amtrak] tends to be more conservative and risk averse when the atmosphere is perceived to be risky. So while there may be interest, I’m not sure there’s the right climate for them to be aggressive.”

The private railroads, meanwhile, are not so shy.

“All of the Class Ones are now getting back into the the passenger rail service,” Downs said, naming Union Pacific, Burlington Northern & Santa Fe, and Norfolk-Southern:

“The Union Pacific is going to be adamant about control of the railroad passenger service from Chicago to St. Louis,” Downs said. The federal government is investing $2 billion to prepare that corridor, which requires the use of Union Pacific right-of-way, track, and equipment.
“The Burlington Northern Santa Fe has said that any real passenger service on their tracks is going to be run by Burlington Northern Santa Fe.
“And Norfolk-Southern is in somewhat the same position.”
Downs led Amtrak from 1993-98. He has also served as executive director of the Federal Transit Administration, a White House fellow to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, president of New York’s Tri Boro Bridge and Tunnel Authority, director of the District of Columbia Department of Transportation, among other roles.

www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2012/03/15/railroads-republicans-muscling-out-amtrak/

What is not being said is if they would consider long-distance or medium distance trains... 'Knowing' the personalities of these companies, Norfolk Southern and Burlington Northern Santa Fe, would be the most likely to operate a comprehensive list of services. Hum?

One thing is certain, while Amtrak does have some good trains, crews and services (here and there) in their entire history they have NEVER operated a train the equal of the old Southern - today's Norfolk Southern, or the old Santa Fe - today's BNSF.

I still harbor doubts about how serious any of this is, but if the Republicans are behind it, and if they are promising some sort of 'incentives' to make it happen, we could be in for a very interesting decade.

OCKLAWAHA

[mtraininjax]

Oooh, the Nancy Hanks on the Southern was a great ride! I was always thankful to the NS for continuing the Steam Program, at a time when the CSX treated steam as a distraction on their lines.

Isn't Terminus located in downtown "Hot-lanta"?