Semi-OT:long distance Amtrak

[Lost Poke]

Passenger rail in the west died in the 1970's for a reason. And nothing has really changed. It's why Amtrak only exists with massive government subsidy.

- Cars are cheaper and faster
- Planes are about the same price and much faster
- The rail lines are built for freight and suck to travel on over long distances

 

[doreno5]

Passenger rail in the west died in the 1970's for a reason. And nothing has really changed. It's why Amtrak only exists with massive government subsidy.

- Cars are cheaper and faster
- Planes are about the same price and much faster
- The rail lines are built for freight and suck to travel on over long distances

You are right about the speed and price but I disagree about the experience. Traveling by train can be leisurely and enjoyable. Some of the routes are incredibly scenic and worth taking some time to enjoy.

 

[sandiegopoke]

Passenger rail in the west died in the 1970's for a reason. And nothing has really changed. It's why Amtrak only exists with massive government subsidy.

- Cars are cheaper and faster
- Planes are about the same price and much faster
- The rail lines are built for freight and suck to travel on over long distances

You are right about the speed and price but I disagree about the experience. Traveling by train can be leisurely and enjoyable. Some of the routes are incredibly scenic and worth taking some time to enjoy.

Freight gets priority over passenger and we don't have the infrastructure to support both because it is not a priority. If you've ever spent time on the passenger trains in Europe, you might wish we had invested in trains instead of highways.

 

[Lost Poke]

Passenger rail in the west died in the 1970's for a reason. And nothing has really changed. It's why Amtrak only exists with massive government subsidy.

- Cars are cheaper and faster
- Planes are about the same price and much faster
- The rail lines are built for freight and suck to travel on over long distances

You are right about the speed and price but I disagree about the experience. Traveling by train can be leisurely and enjoyable. Some of the routes are incredibly scenic and worth taking some time to enjoy.

You're very right about the scenic routes, etc. That works if the ride is a part of the experience (may grandpa rode trains from KC to Laramie for that reason after he retired), but most people view the travel part as the part between home and fun / work.