honda0105
Champion Author
Tallahassee
Posts:18,811
Points:1,635,270
Joined:Nov 2008
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Message Posted: Aug 9, 2012 5:50:14 AM
chicken and egg situation, isn't it? Add more capacity to increase / encourage ridership, but that's only a viable business option if ridership is already up.
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Gnusman53
Champion Author
San Diego
Posts:7,183
Points:1,138,070
Joined:Feb 2004
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Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 11:33:30 PM
Maybe they could call it the "back to the future" plan (grin)
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Gnusman53
Champion Author
San Diego
Posts:7,183
Points:1,138,070
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Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 11:30:01 PM
For instance, teams in Montana's Frontier conference travel a lot and now have added schools like Dickinson State and Southern Oregon....
Now they mostly use buses. It could easily be cheaper with rail and that could also provide a steady customer base to build a passenger service upon....
The schools make travel plans many months in advance and could probably be started within a year or so....
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Gnusman53
Champion Author
San Diego
Posts:7,183
Points:1,138,070
Joined:Feb 2004
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Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 11:24:31 PM
It could be developed as a an answer to commuting problems...and could be funded by the energy companies......
Then it could also be expanded to neighboring states.
Nearly a hundred years ago, rail was used to even move college football teams across the entire country.
It could be used again for the same reason -- at least for the back and forth with Montana teams and their opponents...
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Gnusman53
Champion Author
San Diego
Posts:7,183
Points:1,138,070
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Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 11:18:37 PM
In Montana, light commuter rail would be a good use of the rail lines...
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Gnusman53
Champion Author
San Diego
Posts:7,183
Points:1,138,070
Joined:Feb 2004
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Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 11:17:01 PM
Long range passenger service should maximize options....ie., for an additional $10 or $15 on a ticket, allow a car to be moved point to point...
In Europe they do something similar....and have done it for decades...
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bulbous
Champion Author
Ohio
Posts:3,922
Points:122,015
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 10:50:30 PM
idiot governors,like in ohio, sent the funds for our passenger trains back to the federal government.now we are stuck with an antiquated transportation system forever,or until we get another governor.
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Gnusman53
Champion Author
San Diego
Posts:7,183
Points:1,138,070
Joined:Feb 2004
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 10:25:00 PM
Sadly Rodzilla is in total fantasy mode.
The opposite of what he says is the actual truth.
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sparky808
Champion Author
Honolulu
Posts:3,134
Points:623,710
Joined:Sep 2011
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 1:29:57 PM
Thank you for posting.
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tomok
Champion Author
Portland
Posts:33,555
Points:2,371,260
Joined:Aug 2006
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 3:47:47 AM
You only add additional train service if there is a demand to justify the increase in spending. If there is No demand or the level of ridership stays the same, you do not increase the service. It should not take anybody outside Amtrak to say something, service should have already been increased when the demand increased. There's a train a comin.'
Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. Consider using other forms of less expensive transportation to lower your cost.
The price of fuel at the pump is too high!
12/22/2012
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jrsva
Champion Author
Virginia
Posts:9,993
Points:1,638,975
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 1:12:34 AM
It is very difficult to get a reservation on The Empire Builder. Adding a couple of cars would help but they really need to run a second section at least part of the time. The present situation discourages ridership.
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pgerassi
Champion Author
Milwaukee
Posts:11,031
Points:2,158,270
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:51:30 AM
It would be better to add one trainset, a complete train consisting of 2 locomotives, 1 baggage cars, 1 coach baggage car, 1 diner, 1 crew sleeper car, 3 sleeping cars, 1 sightseeing/lounge car, and 3 coaches. That would both increase the probability of on time performance and increase capacity. There are four trainsets currently running the EB, Empire Builder, route, plus two additional locomotives that run the Portland to Spokane portion (one each way) where the 4 cars going to Portland are split off (the baggage/coach car, the lounge/sightseeing car, a sleeper car, and a coach car). A coach car is stored at Minneapolis and is added to each eastbound train and is returned by the subsequent westbound train to add more capacity to the Chicago/Minneapolis portion of the route. Since it takes 2 days each way to run the route, you need four trainsets at a minimum.
Of course the problem is that if any train is late, you have to cutoff the ends and bus the people the rest of the way with those leaving having to be bused there. This is a bigger problem at the western end than at the eastern end because the Hiawatha runs 6 trains daily between Milwaukee and Chicago which saves 5 hours and because this part of the track is double tracked and is up to 110MPH service standards, few delays happen on this end, so the trainset would likely be stored at the Portland/Settle end allowing on time departures when the train is late and/or a car became defective within the trainset. In addition Amtrak could add a coach and/or sleeper car to some trainsets from this spare trainset which boosts the capacity further while still keeping enough of a trainset to overcome delays.
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52MPG
Champion Author
Dayton
Posts:7,392
Points:1,767,455
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:33:59 AM
More government meddling.
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PaylessKY
Champion Author
Kentucky
Posts:8,865
Points:1,607,200
Joined:Oct 2008
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:24:25 AM
My dad worked for the Southern Rail Road, Now Norfolk Southern. I remember riding the train on vacation. It is a part of my childhood life , I miss a lot.
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crreed1
Champion Author
West Virginia
Posts:2,095
Points:2,549,740
Joined:May 2005
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:14:23 AM
we need to bring them back
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Eugenian
Champion Author
Oregon
Posts:1,996
Points:387,880
Joined:Oct 2009
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:13:20 AM
Passenger rail is our most underappreciated transportation asset.
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jkpsr
Champion Author
New Jersey
Posts:4,202
Points:1,126,940
Joined:Jun 2005
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:12:42 AM
If Congress left Amtrak alone, it could be profitable, but not running the long routes such as the Empire Builder.
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pyndasky
Champion Author
Maryland
Posts:10,134
Points:1,808,305
Joined:May 2008
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:12:15 AM
about time!!!
Rail travel is a missing element of our commerce system... we bail out auto manufacturers, subsidize and sustain air travel, use tax dollars to build roads and bridges, but don't invest in rail at a level to keep this critical mode of travel healthy....
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ssect8
Champion Author
Hartford
Posts:8,121
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:12:14 AM
Sounds like more waste of money.
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LanguageMan1
Champion Author
Tampa
Posts:11,856
Points:1,687,540
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:12:05 AM
I do hope capacity is increased and made use of as well. I believe this is one project in one area that would succeed; quite unlike high speed rail around here. We just wouldn't have the ridership around here for it to be profitable.
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quasar502
Champion Author
Lansing
Posts:3,713
Points:827,100
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:11:06 AM
The ridership has been growing all over.
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1fulltank
Champion Author
Buffalo
Posts:8,031
Points:1,570,020
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:10:47 AM
Just make sure it's not too temporary of an upswing in riders.
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tedjm1
Champion Author
New York
Posts:5,609
Points:800,300
Joined:Dec 2006
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:10:32 AM
Do not use Amtrak.
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alaric76
Champion Author
New Jersey
Posts:16,672
Points:3,060,310
Joined:Nov 2004
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:10:13 AM
I love the sky car. We have a continuous poker game upstairs!
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jem069
Champion Author
Detroit
Posts:2,674
Points:713,805
Joined:Jan 2011
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:09:42 AM
Ok
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PrinceLH
Champion Author
Ontario
Posts:2,827
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:07:24 AM
Just do it!
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rahcat
Champion Author
Grand Rapids
Posts:2,676
Points:688,925
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:07:14 AM
Have used Amtrak from Holland, MI to Chicago, Il. many times.....Love the ride.
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joel27nc
Champion Author
Raleigh
Posts:10,667
Points:1,884,120
Joined:Mar 2008
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:06:46 AM
need to upgrade the system
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J4romeo
All-Star Author
Gary
Posts:506
Points:1,219,125
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:06:41 AM
it's going to be away of the future n more buses...taxi's not
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Jarol
Champion Author
Iowa
Posts:8,561
Points:1,619,865
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:06:32 AM
If they can make a profit without tax dollars ... I'm all for it.
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gilfarm
Champion Author
Alabama
Posts:6,926
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Joined:Sep 2005
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:05:55 AM
Ok
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Rageagainsttm
Champion Author
Tampa
Posts:8,417
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Joined:Jul 2007
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:05:25 AM
nice
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jrschl
Champion Author
Louisville
Posts:3,102
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Joined:Jun 2011
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:03:22 AM
Love the train. Still.
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rxman1
Champion Author
Toledo
Posts:9,684
Points:1,887,770
Joined:Nov 2007
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:03:11 AM
Sydney is in Montana. Where there is demand for service, that is the time to add cars or runs to meet the demand.
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bluegrasser1
Champion Author
Richmond
Posts:16,067
Points:2,642,285
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:01:29 AM
ok
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TustinDad
Champion Author
Orange County
Posts:4,377
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:01:13 AM
Very well said, gasokie!
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TXGasPriceSpy
Champion Author
Fort Worth
Posts:7,947
Points:1,498,025
Joined:Sep 2008
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Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:00:30 AM
Politics at work.
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mackconsult
Champion Author
Portland
Posts:5,364
Points:867,960
Joined:Jan 2009
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Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 11:57:15 PM
Good for them
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gasokie
Champion Author
Oklahoma
Posts:3,485
Points:1,345,840
Joined:May 2007
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Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 11:52:03 PM
Railroads have really been screwed over the past many years cause they are hated. But the trucking industry enjoys almost free roads, cheap tags etc. Airlines are well, really subsidized. Our tax dollars go to build and maintain airports and air controllers and so on. And I under stand all that. When an underfunded Amtrak tries to make schedules on railroads that favor freight service and consequently are always a little late and slower than they used to be....and like I said, are hated like snakes by many public people who may have forgotten why they hate 'em. Underfunded and kicked around this cheapest, most valuable type of transport is beling allowed to since in the mire of politics and hate.
Rail roads, all things being even can haul freight and people for 12% of the cost of overland (trucks and Busses) can.
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Yatta99
Rookie Author
Florida
Posts:38
Points:62,035
Joined:Apr 2012
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Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 11:48:11 PM
"wayoung56: What or where is the Bakken???"
I think it's in New Yaak :)
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granitestater
Champion Author
New Hampshire
Posts:8,975
Points:1,457,475
Joined:Oct 2008
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Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 11:45:02 PM
We need a Senate Investigation in order to add cars to a train?
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SavALot
Champion Author
Virginia Beach
Posts:8,613
Points:1,737,585
Joined:Apr 2005
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Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 11:43:43 PM
Love Amtrak hope they continue great cross county service
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RTBama1
Sophomore Author
Montgomery
Posts:101
Points:1,578,295
Joined:Aug 2005
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Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 11:43:35 PM
More train travel is a win for everyone.
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Blue48
Champion Author
Illinois
Posts:7,440
Points:1,664,670
Joined:Feb 2007
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Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 11:42:24 PM
GOOD LUCK!
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bbigred
Veteran Author
Lansing
Posts:428
Points:298,620
Joined:May 2006
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Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 11:40:49 PM
As gas goes up and up affordable train service should go up
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OOXXFF
Champion Author
Greensboro
Posts:3,188
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Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 11:40:14 PM
Good.
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Jmac2008
Champion Author
Missouri
Posts:2,406
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Joined:Dec 2008
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Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 11:39:00 PM
ok
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MRHONEST
Champion Author
Illinois
Posts:2,212
Points:1,694,855
Joined:May 2007
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Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 11:38:37 PM
OK
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justmedc
Veteran Author
Michigan
Posts:382
Points:174,495
Joined:Mar 2012
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Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 11:36:29 PM
n/a for me, won't get me from mi to fl
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Bruno44
Champion Author
Texas
Posts:7,212
Points:1,794,920
Joined:Sep 2007
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Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 11:35:28 PM
Huh?
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