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While I agree that the advertising would be great for drumming up business, there is a problem. Many Congressmen would get their undies in a bundle over "subsidizing land cruises" and thus put Amtrak funding at risk. We know that sleeper passengers are paying their extra costs and not costing...

Yes. :) I would also say that most people on this board aren't normal, at least on the issue of trains. And I think we're all happy about that.

This is why all long distance trains need, at the minimum, a twin that operates about 12 hours from the first train. You've got these major/mid-major cities all over that are only served at bizarre hours. (Omaha/Lincoln, Spokane, Salt Lake City...) You'd have to be nuts to get on a train at 3...

I don't have any knowledge of the Heartland Flyer except what I see on the map, so take my comments with a grain of salt. (or maybe a whole shaker full) I think that would be a great extension. That would be a start to a corridor that I think is missing from the National network. I think the...

Your trip report was fine. Don't worry about being wordy. If someone doesn't like it, they don't have to read it. You gotta write in your own style. I thought the part about your North Dakota / Minnesota conversation was interesting. Feel free to use the names of the Amtrak employees you...

Last June my wife and I rode coach on the Empire Builder from Seattle to Milwaukee. She was 6.5 months pregnant at that time, and didn't have any problems. (But another month later it wouldn't have been as easy) We didn't really think about the medical assistance thing, as she wasn't near the...

I'm confused. Where did I ever post anything about finding and burning oil forever? Also, I am in favor of improved rail infrastructure, contrary to what you seem to be saying about me in the paragraph above.

In an ideal world, that would be great. But most people don't have "several days" to arrive early. From what I gather in your other posts, you don't have a job. So it is relatively easy to not worry about time. Most people have to be at work and have a limited amount of time off. And that...

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on my ideas, or expanding upon them. Financing - a 1 penny/gallon gas tax should do the trick. I'm a highway proponent too (actually I'm a transportation proponent - air, rail, sea, road), and I think improved Amtrak would be a boon for motorists as...

I'm not backing down from my statement, but you're right in that I should have included "Bust the Management" as well. Management problems have been well-documented on this forum too. Both in terms of too many layers, and in terms of being ineffective. They cost money and reduce customer...

Step 1 - Unions Bust the unions. I don't mind compensating employees well, but the work rules have to change, big time. Amtrak needs more flexibility in how to use the available employees. Step 2 - Discounts If a train isn't at 90% capacity, marketing and sales have failed. For coach, a...

But the AP release had the following information: It appears as though freights did use the route. I presume BobWeaver and MrFSS are correct in their reasons for that.

I have only ridden the Empire Builder. When I saw the lounge food setup, I thought A) why isn't the attendant serving better food, or B) why is there an attendant serving vending machine food? A vending machine could serve the same stuff, but for less cost and would give 24 hour access. I've...

Of course, I don't live in the South, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. My first choice would be to restore the Sunset. It seems to me that it is a useful part of the national system. Makes travel to Florida a lot more convenient for people from Mississippi, Louisianna, Texas, and...

I think anybody who would want to take your detour would be enough of a rail buff to be able to book it themselves.

On Monday January 21 2008 I was in San Antonio. It was my first time there and I was staying at the new Holiday Inn Express just down the street from the Amtrak station. After a good meal and some drinks on the Riverwalk, I walked back to the hotel, around 10:30 PM. Of course I had to stop at...

You could drive to Milwaukee and take the Hiawatha to Chicago and then connect to the SC. That's only a 4.5 hour drive, although you might as well drive to Chicago at that point. But the parking at Milwaukee Airport might be a bit cheaper. (It may be free, I'm not sure.)

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=703666 John Gurda has a nice little story about Milwaukee's past rail stations. Three really good pictures, too.

Why don't you want Chicago to get the Olympics? Just curious. I'm in the Milwaukee area, so I'd get benefits without any of the potential hassles. About the St. Charles Airline: How is abandoning it along the lakefront going to open up any new development land? Doesn't it sit right next to...

Here's a view of it: http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&...8&encType=1