For a few years, Autotrain ran a second route between Louisville KY and FL, but poor track conditions on the L&N contributed to its discontinuance. Presumably, CSX (or NS) track is in better condition today. Yet, there doesn't seem to be much interest in reviving that route. While we've been discussing mainly east-to-west routes, it's curious that Amtrak doesn't seem to be making any effort to offer any rail service from Chicago through Atlanta to Florida.
Realize we're on a train board so the thread is totally biased but air travel is simply better for long trips. Even at high speed train speed you are still going to travel at roughly 3x faster speeds in an airplane and so even though you have to be thee 2 hours early ,etc etc it doesn't take long in the air to make up that time. Don't take this as me being a train hater, I love them (would I be on this board in I didn't). I take them all the time in NE corridor and in Europe but that is short/medium haul. So while I would really like to see more regional / local service where airtime in a plane is less than 1.5 hours as a train is much much more convenient (one of the keys to why they work so well in Europe) Dallas to Houston, Atlanta to DC, LA to Las Vegas, etc etc there is no way to make it work for long haul. For fun or vacation or whatever sure but normal trips for business (remember over 80% of trips are business trips) there is no way a cross country trip makes sense time wise or cost wise. These regional ones could be done by private industry as well (Dallas Houston is in the works with a private company but who knows if will ever happen) And totally agree Amtrak can and should die. The rails will do the routes that make economical sense. The rest can get covered with bus (this can be really cheap and pretty comfortable honestly if you don't care about time) and plane. Not sure why we need to spend loads of taxpayer money on non-commuter passenger trains. And a s a final point as one who travels on business a whole lot. The idea that's it's better to have an overnight comfortable train and get there in the morning then to get up at 4 am to go to the airport isn't right for me and most people I know who travel a lot. If we were going overnight why not take the latest plane and get a good night sleep in a hotel. Personally a night tucking my kids in and sleeping in my bed with my with wife is worth every 4 am wake up and I'd pick it every time compared to an overnight train and an extra night away from family! For occasional travelers that may not be the case but for those of us who do it a lot I can assure you nights at home are cherished even if they are cut short by a 4am alarm.
How far are you from the airport, both at home and at your destination? What is the typical distance of your business trips? Are the flights always non-stop, or do you have to connect with a different flight at some intermediate location?
I am going to go back in time, around 60 or so years. Yes, I am an old fart. I grew up in southwestern Montana and we used to take regular trips to visit relatives in northern Indiana. We would take either the Milwaukee Road Hiawatha or the Northern Pacific North Coast Limited to Chicago. I had relatives working on both of these railroads and we always managed to travel first class. In Chicago we would transfer to the South Shore line into Indiana. I think I looked forward to the train trip more than getting to the destination. Passenger service back in the 50's is a world of difference than what is available today. Air travel back then was expensive and the roads weren't what they were today. Rail was the way to go. Service was outstanding and I loved the food that was served on the trains back then. I managed to get a hold of a cook book with recipes from the Northern Pacific which we still use today. Move forward to today/ Air travel is inexpensive and the interstate system is outstanding compared to the roads in the 50's and 60's. I would still like to ride the train, but Amtrak dropped the southern route through Montana. When the wife and I take road trips, we always search out scenic railroads to ride on. I just like trains.
I appreciate hearing your passenger train experience. I totally missed the 50's outstanding passenger experience. The first time I rode on a passenger train was Southern 4501 round trip Memphis to Corinth, MS in about 1972. My first Amtrak was Burlington, VT to Montreal in the 80's. Since then I've ridden Amtrak a dozen times and scheduled to ride again in May Minneapolis to Seattle. I ride Amtrak because I like trains. I also seek out scenic railroads. If I ever visit Europe I would choose train travel.
I was watching Amtrak #3 SWC WB going through LaPlata, MO and there was quite a group boarding the train. Then switching over to Flagstaff, to watch the other #3 SWC WB. Again, I lost count even with full screen but noted over 50 passengers boarding. Not quitting yet. I then went to Barstow to watch the #4 SWC arrive EB. Not as many boarding but was amazed at how slick it was to de-board a handicap person in a wheel chair. Job well done. Amtrak serves a purpose and is used as is evidence of the numbers boarding the trains They aren't running empty. By far more pleasant then riding a bus. More expensive then flying. You'll hear me say, "You get what you pay for". By the way I didn't coin that and I have no idea who did, nor do I care. Just envious of those who get to ride today's dinosour's.
A most interesting thread! When I was in college in the early 70's, I traveled to and from home on the Wabash Cannonball. I attended the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. To travel home, we embarked by bus from Urbana. The bus took us to a grade crossing amidst the cornfields of Tolono, IL, where we boarded the train. We arrived in Montpelier, OH, about 5 or 6 hours later, where a family member picked me up. During the couple of years I rode the rails, the trip began to take longer as we more frequently pulled onto sidings to let freight trains through. I loved the whole experience, though. On one trip, there was even a small kitchenette in the back of one of the coaches serving sandwiches and soft drinks. The coaches were pretty shabby, but the seats were always comfortable. Good times! - Jeff
First I am also bummed I missed the 50s and 60s rail service as I do love trains but back to the thread. I live about 30 minutes from ATL airport which is helpful as I can get to most mid or large cities nonstop. Our plants that I visit though are largely a 2-3 hour drive from major airports as we are in heavy manufacturing so we need lots of space, water, power, etc and you just don't build that near big cities. So montanan in summed up how I feel perfectly. I love trains. Still try to take scenic ones when I can, etc but with air travel and the highway system there is no chance of them being an efficient way to go in the US again unless there are major major structural changes around costs etc (which could happen with gas/fossil fuels but then electric technology is coming fast, etc)
Keith, You missed some excellent times. They had if figured out. Electric trolleys to move people to and from the cities and in some cases from the cities to the small suburbs. You could get on a trolley and ride it from Pasadena to downtown Los Angeles, Ca. in about 15 to 20 minutes. You can't drive it that fast today. The 50's and 60's were amazing. Problem is my memories are that of a child. No details. Well, you managed to find my hot spot. No this isn't personal but do hear me out. What we don't seem to get: The problem with electric trains is you still need fossil fuels to power the generators. Batteries? How do you charge them? How do you dispose of them? The original alternative was hydro electric generating plants and with today's mindset they will eventually tear those down. There won't be water to irrigate crops, feed livestock and we won't be eating soy beans or said bi-products. Gluten? Who cares? I don't. Generations have survived and done well with the power they had and the food they served. What arrogance makes us think it's our fault and we can change it? Don't know where this is all going to end up but thankfully, I won't be around to suffer through it. I do worry about what this all means for my kids and my grandchildren. Today's railroads are still the best way for commerce to ship. Combine that with ships that ply the seas, trucks to deliver the goods and you have a network that works very well. High speed rails would answer the problem for moving people long distance on the ground but isn't very practical for intermediate stops along the way. Consider our past. Most young adults today don't remember what our forefathers went through to eek out a living. I don't want to go back to digging my own well, raising my own cows, riding horses and caring for them as in feeding them, milking said cows, churning the butter and making my own cheese. Planting crops to feed my family and city neighbors. How did we stay warm during the winter months? Burning our furniture? No thanks. But in many cases we made our own furniture. I like what we have and wouldn't encourage anyone to work toward changing it...other then to be responsible and keep the cost down. As far as my model railroad. I like my electric trains on my layout and I don't want to go back to wind-up trains. No Sir!! DCC and wind-up trains, I wonder?
Could be done, after a fashion. Just make a DCC command station with a built-in crank operated generator, like the ones on those "self-powered" emergency radios:
Point 353, Always to the point. LOL and still chuckling out loud. Well played and well put. Enjoying your postings.
Rick was thinking more trucks and cars electric but totally get and agree your points. 100% agree rail is still the best way for most freight in US. Totally off subject now but the advances in society have been truly remarkable in the last 100 years. I know most people miss "the good old days" because everyone remembers the past fondly (I think it's a built in coping mechanism) but it's truly remarkable how much the standard of living, mobility, wealth, etc have increased. I could take your quote about worrying about your kids and grand kids from literally every generation. Don't get me wrong I worry about it some as well but humans have been pretty remarkable at advancing.
Well said. To add and adapting. We've managed to make things work and even change our attitude when necessary. We are survivors. I just don't like the direction we seem to be going. Just a rub and nothing I can really do about it.
I started this whole discussion and found something, amateur at best but well put together and information you might need if you decide to take Amtrak Across America. There are plenty of other homemade movies regarding Amtrack and I'm sure you can get your Amtrak fix by watching them. Here's hope-in you find this interesting as well as informative. Enjoy!
Just a heads up. Amtrak #3 SWC is running 7 hours and 25 mins late. It is due to arrive in Barstow, Ca. at 11:05 a.m. PT time. You can catch on You Tube, courtesy of Virtual Railfan. I could provide a link but it's most likely it won't work and you'll need to go to Virtual Railfan, to make the connection. Catch it if you can.
Actually I would be more shocked if it was on time. Freight rules the rails and Amtrak is always late because of it.
Amtrack SWC #3 is now over 9 hours late. Apparently stalled out West of Needles. Now rolling at 66 mph and due into Barstow around 1:30 p.m. PT time. That is if everything goes well. One of the fellas on the chit chat said Go #3 Go! It started running significantly late at about Kansas City. Getting later and later after that. Not sure why? Lot's of guessing on the chit chat as to the cause. Flash floods, signalling problems and then the last one west of Needles, CA., having to do with engine problems. I hope they've got an interesting movie on board and plenty of sandwiches. Hope those toilets don't over flow. Sigh! If finally got into Barstow shortly after 2:00 p.m. Barstow time. With a pumpkin on the point. The crew looked...well...tired.
Wednesday evening 9:32 p.m. Amtrak update. Not that I want to continue this discussion but it's odd to learn that #3 SWC out of LaPlata, MO is running one hour late. Also, #3 SWC leaving Albuquerque, headed for Flagstaff is running 4 hrs 48 min's., late. It started running an hour late out of Kansas City, MO. Bad weather there? Thinking as in guessing there are signaling issues, weather/tornados and a surge in freight traffic may explain why. I just don't know. Anyone's guess is as good or better then mine. We are running late. #4 out of LAUPT, Los Angeles, Ca., is running on time and will arrive in Barstow, Ca. 9:38 p.m. PT. You should be able to catch it on the Barstow Live Rail Cam courtesy of Virtual Railfan. If you know why feel free to jump right in here.
Thursday morning. Here we go again. Amtrak #3 SWC W.B. is passing through Goffs, Ca., as I write. It is now operating 6 hrs., 22 mins late and unlike yesterday it's running at 57 mph. Yesterday they were all but dead stopped out there. Due into Barstow, CA., 10:13 a.m. I don't think that's quite accurate. Another opportunity to see it pull into Barstow mid-morning. Like yesterday it left Kansas City, KA over an hour late. Kept getting later and later as it moved west. Only guessing as to why? Weather (tornadoes), signalling problems due to flash floods (wires grounding out), surge in freight traffic. I'm not the dispatcher so I can only guess...why? Tune into Virtual Railfan and Amtrak's Track Your Train website if you want to follow along. The real question is: When is Amtrak on time? I can answer that based on my observations. More often then you might expect.
Amtrak, #3 SWC made it into Barstow, CA., without any further delays. Showing up at around 10:40 a.m. I noted people de-boarding the train with luggage in hand. More then you'd typically find getting off the train in Barstow. Not the best place in the world to find transportation to get out of town. I couldn't see in the great camera shots whether or not Amtrak had a bus waiting or some of these fine folk were looking for a faster connection to Bakersfield. Greyhound used to stop at the B. station, the last I heard they moved back up town. Lot's of freight traffic. While waiting for #3 a UP M.O.W. train came through. I won't make this a daily report. Just thought you might want to know.
