Is it time for Class 1's to start offering passenger service again??

[MassArt Images]

I thought I would throw this topic out for discussion. With air travel being the hassle it has become; think TSA, have we come full circle with regards to rail travel? Amtrak is a mess due to gov't intervention and manipulation. The days of mutiple railroads are long past. With only 6 Class 1's in existence, and each having thier niches as far as covering the nation, wouldn't this be a time where by offering passenger service they could create a viable alternative to air travel and also create an additional revenue source for themselves?

Let the discussion begin!!

[JRMDC]

Originally Posted by MassArt Images

Let the discussion begin!!

Nope, Carl. Freight RRs want no piece of passenger. They already get paid by Amtrak and commuter agencies for what they do operate, and are not clamoring for more. I see no reason why they could necessarily operate profitably. The only thing the freight RRs get out of it is some local leverage for subsidies that benefit them also (see, for example, CSX getting monies to expand to a third track south of DC, because it benefits the VRE commuter operation).


Maybe let the discussion end?

[Mgoldman]

Shhhhhh.... Don't tell Janusz!

PhotoID: 440882 Photograph © Mike Danneman

PhotoID: 425486 Photograph © Mike Danneman

Florida East Coast Industries (FECI) is developing a privately owned, operated and maintained intercity passenger rail service that will give business and leisure passengers a new convenient, environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to travel between South Florida and Central Florida.

http://www.allaboardflorida.com/

I'll bet UP could make a profit on a LA to LV route.

/Mitch

[JimThias]

Originally Posted by JRMDC

Maybe let the discussion end?

This. It's just not practical. Amtrak is not a money-maker, so I really doubt any Class 1 would invest millions in equipment and track upgrades for something with such little return.

It's just a reality of the world (or country, rather) that we live in. It's a warm and fuzzy thought as a railfan, but that's about all it'll ever be.

[JRMDC]

Mitch's two Danneman shot exemplars are rather silly responses, a charity train and an occasional luxury train. Hardly examples of intercity transportation in competition with air travel.

The FEC example is more serious, it appears; first I know of it, thanks for the link. Interesting stuff, good luck to them. Don't know the specifics that make that operation potentially profitable (lack of freight, existing line, so key infrastructure and/or land paid for?) when not profitable elsewhere.

Don't see the case for a Class 1 to do it. Maybe in a few identifiable places, if they had interest in what today would be considered not part of their core business. National network? NO.

Here's an assessment of LA-LV, done in 2007. Haven't read it. Haven't heard of any eagerness on UP's part.

http://rtcsnv.com/mpo/plansstudies/D...Assessment.pdf

[troy12n]

What a stupid thread. Is the OP like 8 years old?