Amtrak Vs Freight Railroads and delays

[David Collins]

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?

[DaveO]

politics. class 1 railroads donate to the right politicians.
edit: Amtrak can't afford to alienate Congress. They have to walk a tightrope.

[Chip]

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.

[Saturnalia]

I would like a clear and simple awnser to a question...

Problem is, there is no clear and simple answer to that question.

[PatAzo]

why isn’t the government stepping in

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.

[PerRock]

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?

Because the freight railroads successfully argued in court that essentially that there is no government agency that can enforce the Amtrak priority rules.

[J T]

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?

Because the freight railroads successfully argued in court that essentially that there is no government agency that can enforce the Amtrak priority rules.

As corporations that own the rails, could the Class 1s decide one day to ban any passenger trains on their lines?