I would like a clear and simple awnser to a question that I’ve been asked by friends and family that aren’t railfans for years, and I don’t intend to make this a political debate:
If Amtrak is truly a government entity, then why isn’t the government stepping in when the Class 1’s are putting Amtrak behind by hours and holding them accountable?
Amtrak Vs Freight Railroads and delays
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Amtrak Vs Freight Railroads and delays
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Re: Amtrak Vs Freight Railroads and delays
politics. class 1 railroads donate to the right politicians.
edit: Amtrak can't afford to alienate Congress. They have to walk a tightrope.
edit: Amtrak can't afford to alienate Congress. They have to walk a tightrope.
Re: Amtrak Vs Freight Railroads and delays
Because they’re beholden to trackage agreements just like every other class one. NS, for instance, doesn’t give a darn if AMTRAK runs on time and on schedule. Their priority is making sure their own trains run on time.
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Re: Amtrak Vs Freight Railroads and delays
Problem is, there is no clear and simple answer to that question.David Collins wrote: ↑Mon Jul 10, 2023 7:22 pmI would like a clear and simple awnser to a question...
Re: Amtrak Vs Freight Railroads and delays
The simple answer is we live in a market economy vs. a planned economy. Market forces determine the goods and services produced vs. central planning from the government. In the case of many Amtrak services, lacking broad public support for passenger rail, the economy favors freight movement over passenger movement. If public demand were to change, freight rail would be forced to better accommodate passenger rail. In example, BNSF can stab the Zepher everyday but not Metra. Commuter rail offers an advantage to the Illinois economy and the public demands the infrastructure and service.
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Re: Amtrak Vs Freight Railroads and delays
Because the freight railroads successfully argued in court that essentially that there is no government agency that can enforce the Amtrak priority rules.David Collins wrote: ↑Mon Jul 10, 2023 7:22 pmI would like a clear and simple awnser to a question that I’ve been asked by friends and family that aren’t railfans for years, and I don’t intend to make this a political debate:
If Amtrak is truly a government entity, then why isn’t the government stepping in when the Class 1’s are putting Amtrak behind by hours and holding them accountable?
Given the choice; I fly Amtrak.
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Re: Amtrak Vs Freight Railroads and delays
As corporations that own the rails, could the Class 1s decide one day to ban any passenger trains on their lines?PerRock wrote: ↑Tue Jul 11, 2023 12:03 pmBecause the freight railroads successfully argued in court that essentially that there is no government agency that can enforce the Amtrak priority rules.David Collins wrote: ↑Mon Jul 10, 2023 7:22 pmI would like a clear and simple awnser to a question that I’ve been asked by friends and family that aren’t railfans for years, and I don’t intend to make this a political debate:
If Amtrak is truly a government entity, then why isn’t the government stepping in when the Class 1’s are putting Amtrak behind by hours and holding them accountable?
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GRHC - you know every night I can imagine he is in front of his computer screen sitting in his underwear swearing profusely and drinking Blatz beer combing the RailRoadFan website for grammatical errors.