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I'm not sure that a Chicago-New York autotrain would be viable. Florida is a fairly unique market, because a sufficient percentage of the travelers are planning an extended stay in Florida, (i.e., all winter) where having their personal automobile would be especially useful. I don't think...

It means that non-whites could ride the train in a separate, unreserved "Jim Crow" car.

I'm looking an old Official Guide without a cover, but I believe it's from 1953. The Central of Georgia timetable for the Atlanta-Macon-Savanah route has a line in boldface saying "Nancy Hanks II Diesel Powered Coach Streamliner. Seats for white passengers reserved." The timetable for the...

I recall hearing that the Capitol Limited was the reason the cut-off was set at 750 miles. Congress wanted the Capitol Limited grandfathered as part of the national network, but they didn't want to be pressured to fund any shorter lines.

The mileage cutoff is part of a law Congress passed about ten years ago. If you want it changed, you have to work through Congress, not Amtrak.

"I should point out that past management, despite the indifferent attitude of the government ownership, has been more enthusiastic about the mission of the organization. Clearly some changes are needed at the top." I've been around look enough to hear railfans accuse virtually every one of...

I don't think either of these criteria are particularly relevant if you're looking for the system that would serve the most Americans. What I propose instead is a route system that would include stops in each of the top US metropolitan statistical areas (regardless of which states those MSA's...

I have mixed emotions about the food issue. To the extent that Amtrak is taxpayer funded, the prime consideration needs to be transportation, not food presentation, but on the other hand, I understand that inadequate food service can cut into ridership and revenue, especially over longer...

Niagara Falls, eh?? Slowly I turned....

Most of this discussion seems to assume that Amtrak first-class fares are based at least in part on the cost of serving meals. Even though Amtrak does indeed transfer some of the sleeping car revenue to the dining car account, I'm not sure that's the basis of the fare. Fares appear to be based...

They're talking about dining car meals. I'm sure people will still be able to purchase hot dogs and chips in the lounge car anytime they want.

I think pre-ordering is a good idea, and I see no reason why this option can't be extended to coach passengers.

The Liberty Limited was a popular train until the B&O was able to move the rival Capitol Limited from its own tracks through Pittsburgh to a more direct routing via the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie railroad. After that, the Capitol was the faster train.

The Penn Central-era Broadway Limited also had a Washington section, even before Amtrak. After the All-Pullman Broadway Limited was essentially discontinued, the Broadway Limited name (and some of the equipment) was transferred over to a coach-and-sleeper train formerly known as the General. The...

The cost-allocation proposal is part of a broader rule that would also establish new metrics for on-time performance (the on-time proposal has received publicity). There was a very good discussion of this proposal in the current print edition of Trains magazine. I would quote from it, but...

It might be possible to make a case for more sleepers.... if it can be shown that the sleepers make a profit. That's one reason I don't think meals should be included in sleeper fares, because that tends to muddle the financials. It could be that when a portion of the sleeper fare is transferred...

As do the Silver Star, the Silver Meteor, the Palmetto, and the Crescent. And while the Lake Shore Limited does not use the NEC, it does use Penn Station. While these trains undoubtedly benefit from the NEC, it's highly doubtful that Amtrak would save any serious money on the NEC by...

Amtrak's operating subsidy and its capital subsidy (i.e., infrastructure repairs) come out out of separate accounts, with the dollar amounts for both determined by Congress. Theoretically, I suppose, Congress could agree to reducing operations spending and putting more money into capital...

I've been in favor of unbundling sleeper fares and meals for a long time. Including meals in the sleeper fare essentially forces sleeping car passengers to pay for meals whether they want them or not. I live in Atlanta, and when the northbound Crescent is running several hours late, questions...