More jobs go bye-bye

http://www.nemw.org/fedfundrail.htm#highspeed

Two ways of looking at this. Either the administration is insensitive to mass transportation needs or Amtrak is a hole in the ground where the money goes. I'm not sure yet.


Funding for railroad expansion and maintenance is a perennial problem, partially rooted in the fact that the track the trains run on is shared among multiple owners, and used both for freight and passenger service. In principle, there is general public and legislative support for the expansion of rail networks. However, the investment costs for these networks is astounding relative to the amount of money available.

Highways get approximately $30 billion from the federal government in the Highway Trust Fund alone, while railway funding at best is $1 billion from all sources, for all purposes. Further, there is often debate concerning private vs. public management of rail systems for both practical and philosophical reasons. Amtrak, the U.S.'s semi-public rail company, is under pressure to cut costs while maintaining, improving, and expanding service.

Generally, passenger and freight rail companies in the United States manage to run without direct federal intervention. Since the privately-owned freight companies were deregulated over 20 years ago, many people believe that Amtrak ought to be run as a for-profit, unsubsidized corporation, but it is uncertain whether this is actually possible. As a consequence, the overhaul of the nation's rail networks is incomplete, although there is much evidence indicating that this is necessary.

As long as we're talking about trains, did anyone catch the show "Deep Sea Detectives", on the History Channel last night?

Quite interesting. They found two locomotive engines at the bottom of the ocean, off the coast of New Jersey. The trains were sitting upright and were relatively close to each other. It was determined they were built in 1851 and were a type not known to have ever existed.

Quite a fascinating show.

Here's more

Speaking of "derailing " a thread Ratz...you're the master.

I assume we're talking East Coast here, right? Much of the rest of the country has been cut loose from passenger rail service long ago. If it doesn't pan out financially, why should the rest of the country pick up the tab? Maybe a regional consortium would be willing to subsidize your regional routes?

Route: Acela Express

Total Revenue (millions) $271.2

Total Cost $220.0

Profit/Loss $51.3

Profit/Loss Per Passenger $19.00

This is the only profitable route out of Amtrak's 40 routes spanning the whole nation.
The Lake Country route, although small has a loss of $1000 per passenger