http://gma.yahoo.com/3-amtrak-trains-hun...ories.html

One more reason that passenger rail is an abject failure.

It would be advisable if AMTRAK had planned for keeping the rails open. I agree that it is a questionable at best means of travel. Thanks for the article.

It also doesn't help that we are not getting the XL pipeline built with this continuing to be the real case.

http://fuelfix.com/blog/2014/01/06/poll-...l&msg=fail

Contact your Senators and House members and tell them to get on with it.

This is why I drive. I don't trust cab drivers, planes, or trains.

Actually, If I were going cross country or up to Chicago or something, I'd be more than willing to take a train... leave all the driving to someone else... I wouldn't spend a fortune to do it, of course, but if its' relaxing enough I'd easily take the rails.

(01-07-2014 10:53 AM)DaSaintFan Wrote:  Actually, If I were going cross country or up to Chicago or something, I'd be more than willing to take a train... leave all the driving to someone else... I wouldn't spend a fortune to do it, of course, but if its' relaxing enough I'd easily take the rails.

In the city, you're right, it's too much stress to drive in. I've driven in the middle of downtown Dallas traffic, downtown Knoxville traffic, downtown Memphis traffic, and downtown OK City traffic and it's not fun.

(01-07-2014 10:57 AM)LSU04_08 Wrote:  

(01-07-2014 10:53 AM)DaSaintFan Wrote:  Actually, If I were going cross country or up to Chicago or something, I'd be more than willing to take a train... leave all the driving to someone else... I wouldn't spend a fortune to do it, of course, but if its' relaxing enough I'd easily take the rails.

In the city, you're right, it's too much stress to drive in. I've driven in the middle of downtown Dallas traffic, downtown Knoxville traffic, downtown Memphis traffic, and downtown OK City traffic and it's not fun.

Light rail has made that worse.

(01-07-2014 10:53 AM)DaSaintFan Wrote:  Actually, If I were going cross country or up to Chicago or something, I'd be more than willing to take a train... leave all the driving to someone else... I wouldn't spend a fortune to do it, of course, but if its' relaxing enough I'd easily take the rails.

I once took teh train from MSP to Buffalo...

Horrid experience! I would have spent less money driving myself and could have gotten there in half the time.

Yeah other than going a few miles within Washington itself, I have never had a good train experience.

I take the train frequently in Miami, because it is hella cheaper than driving and is much quicker. That said, obviously there will be issues if there is a blizzard. Snow + travel = delay. This is not any different from air travel or driving.

You do realize there were 4k flights cancelled this weekend right? Even here in Nashville there were a bunch cancelled because of the icy conditions. Weather just craps on transportation regardless of what form it is. Sadly, we don't have teleportation yet but until we do this will happen sometimes.

(01-07-2014 01:11 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(01-07-2014 10:53 AM)DaSaintFan Wrote:  Actually, If I were going cross country or up to Chicago or something, I'd be more than willing to take a train... leave all the driving to someone else... I wouldn't spend a fortune to do it, of course, but if its' relaxing enough I'd easily take the rails.

I once took teh train from MSP to Buffalo...

Horrid experience! I would have spent less money driving myself and could have gotten there in half the time.

I looked into taking the family from Mpls to Portland this summer and the cost was astronomical. We're going to drive instead,take in some sights, and probably still beat the Empire Builder by a day. FFS, it's estimated as a 36 hour train ride if there are no delays.

(01-07-2014 06:18 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  

(01-07-2014 01:11 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(01-07-2014 10:53 AM)DaSaintFan Wrote:  Actually, If I were going cross country or up to Chicago or something, I'd be more than willing to take a train... leave all the driving to someone else... I wouldn't spend a fortune to do it, of course, but if its' relaxing enough I'd easily take the rails.

I once took teh train from MSP to Buffalo...

Horrid experience! I would have spent less money driving myself and could have gotten there in half the time.

I looked into taking the family from Mpls to Portland this summer and the cost was astronomical. We're going to drive instead,take in some sights, and probably still beat the Empire Builder by a day. FFS, it's estimated as a 36 hour train ride if there are no delays.

The US is a big ass country. Which I think is the biggest impediment to getting high speed rail established.

(01-07-2014 06:18 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  

(01-07-2014 01:11 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(01-07-2014 10:53 AM)DaSaintFan Wrote:  Actually, If I were going cross country or up to Chicago or something, I'd be more than willing to take a train... leave all the driving to someone else... I wouldn't spend a fortune to do it, of course, but if its' relaxing enough I'd easily take the rails.

I once took teh train from MSP to Buffalo...

Horrid experience! I would have spent less money driving myself and could have gotten there in half the time.

I looked into taking the family from Mpls to Portland this summer and the cost was astronomical. We're going to drive instead,take in some sights, and probably still beat the Empire Builder by a day. FFS, it's estimated as a 36 hour train ride if there are no delays.

yeah, but are you more willing to accept you're more likely to kill the kids after "are we there yet" a million times? :)

(01-08-2014 01:28 PM)DaSaintFan Wrote:  

(01-07-2014 06:18 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  

(01-07-2014 01:11 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(01-07-2014 10:53 AM)DaSaintFan Wrote:  Actually, If I were going cross country or up to Chicago or something, I'd be more than willing to take a train... leave all the driving to someone else... I wouldn't spend a fortune to do it, of course, but if its' relaxing enough I'd easily take the rails.

I once took teh train from MSP to Buffalo...

Horrid experience! I would have spent less money driving myself and could have gotten there in half the time.

I looked into taking the family from Mpls to Portland this summer and the cost was astronomical. We're going to drive instead,take in some sights, and probably still beat the Empire Builder by a day. FFS, it's estimated as a 36 hour train ride if there are no delays.

yeah, but are you more willing to accept you're more likely to kill the kids after "are we there yet" a million times? :)

Have to make sure there is a "drinking" car before booking the trip.

(01-07-2014 06:11 PM)Ole Blue Wrote:  I take the train frequently in Miami, because it is hella cheaper than driving and is much quicker. That said, obviously there will be issues if there is a blizzard. Snow + travel = delay. This is not any different from air travel or driving.

You do realize there were 4k flights cancelled this weekend right? Even here in Nashville there were a bunch cancelled because of the icy conditions. Weather just craps on transportation regardless of what form it is. Sadly, we don't have teleportation yet but until we do this will happen sometimes.

Good post.

I remember when I lived in DC a few years back the timing of a snow/ice storm was perfect (in a terrible way) and commutes took some people 12-14 hours to get home. Thousands of cars got stuck and were just abandoned on the interstate. The city ended up towing all those cars for free just to get them out of the road. Commuting was an absolute disaster for a few days.

Winter weather is bad for all forms of travel.

(01-07-2014 06:11 PM)Ole Blue Wrote:  I take the train frequently in Miami, because it is hella cheaper than driving and is much quicker. That said, obviously there will be issues if there is a blizzard. Snow + travel = delay. This is not any different from air travel or driving.

You do realize there were 4k flights cancelled this weekend right? Even here in Nashville there were a bunch cancelled because of the icy conditions. Weather just craps on transportation regardless of what form it is. Sadly, we don't have teleportation yet but until we do this will happen sometimes.

Good post.

I remember when I lived in DC a few years back the timing of a snow/ice storm was perfect (in a terrible way) and commutes took some people 12-14 hours to get home. Thousands of cars got stuck and were just abandoned on the interstate. The city ended up towing all those cars for free just to get them out of the road. Commuting was an absolute disaster for a few days.

Winter weather is bad for all forms of travel.

(01-08-2014 02:52 PM)Niner National Wrote:  

(01-07-2014 06:11 PM)Ole Blue Wrote:  I take the train frequently in Miami, because it is hella cheaper than driving and is much quicker. That said, obviously there will be issues if there is a blizzard. Snow + travel = delay. This is not any different from air travel or driving.

You do realize there were 4k flights cancelled this weekend right? Even here in Nashville there were a bunch cancelled because of the icy conditions. Weather just craps on transportation regardless of what form it is. Sadly, we don't have teleportation yet but until we do this will happen sometimes.

Good post.

I remember when I lived in DC a few years back the timing of a snow/ice storm was perfect (in a terrible way) and commutes took some people 12-14 hours to get home. Thousands of cars got stuck and were just abandoned on the interstate. The city ended up towing all those cars for free just to get them out of the road. Commuting was an absolute disaster for a few days.

Winter weather is bad for all forms of travel.

Note to self. Never live near DC.

(01-08-2014 03:06 PM)VA49er Wrote:  

(01-08-2014 02:52 PM)Niner National Wrote:  

(01-07-2014 06:11 PM)Ole Blue Wrote:  I take the train frequently in Miami, because it is hella cheaper than driving and is much quicker. That said, obviously there will be issues if there is a blizzard. Snow + travel = delay. This is not any different from air travel or driving.

You do realize there were 4k flights cancelled this weekend right? Even here in Nashville there were a bunch cancelled because of the icy conditions. Weather just craps on transportation regardless of what form it is. Sadly, we don't have teleportation yet but until we do this will happen sometimes.

Good post.

I remember when I lived in DC a few years back the timing of a snow/ice storm was perfect (in a terrible way) and commutes took some people 12-14 hours to get home. Thousands of cars got stuck and were just abandoned on the interstate. The city ended up towing all those cars for free just to get them out of the road. Commuting was an absolute disaster for a few days.

Winter weather is bad for all forms of travel.

Note to self. Never live near DC.

Great place to visit and spend 3-4 days, or even a week, but not a great place to live IMO.

I don't regret my time there because it helped me get some experience and a good job, but I'm glad to be gone.

(01-08-2014 03:20 PM)Niner National Wrote:  

(01-08-2014 03:06 PM)VA49er Wrote:  

(01-08-2014 02:52 PM)Niner National Wrote:  

(01-07-2014 06:11 PM)Ole Blue Wrote:  I take the train frequently in Miami, because it is hella cheaper than driving and is much quicker. That said, obviously there will be issues if there is a blizzard. Snow + travel = delay. This is not any different from air travel or driving.

You do realize there were 4k flights cancelled this weekend right? Even here in Nashville there were a bunch cancelled because of the icy conditions. Weather just craps on transportation regardless of what form it is. Sadly, we don't have teleportation yet but until we do this will happen sometimes.

Good post.

I remember when I lived in DC a few years back the timing of a snow/ice storm was perfect (in a terrible way) and commutes took some people 12-14 hours to get home. Thousands of cars got stuck and were just abandoned on the interstate. The city ended up towing all those cars for free just to get them out of the road. Commuting was an absolute disaster for a few days.

Winter weather is bad for all forms of travel.

Note to self. Never live near DC.

Great place to visit and spend 3-4 days, or even a week, but not a great place to live IMO.

I don't regret my time there because it helped me get some experience and a good job, but I'm glad to be gone.

My only gripe is that it's too expensive. Ok, that and traffic is bad. But, I was glad to come back, except I really can't afford to live here after losing 10% on my house in MD.

(01-08-2014 03:20 PM)Niner National Wrote:  

(01-08-2014 03:06 PM)VA49er Wrote:  

(01-08-2014 02:52 PM)Niner National Wrote:  

(01-07-2014 06:11 PM)Ole Blue Wrote:  I take the train frequently in Miami, because it is hella cheaper than driving and is much quicker. That said, obviously there will be issues if there is a blizzard. Snow + travel = delay. This is not any different from air travel or driving.

You do realize there were 4k flights cancelled this weekend right? Even here in Nashville there were a bunch cancelled because of the icy conditions. Weather just craps on transportation regardless of what form it is. Sadly, we don't have teleportation yet but until we do this will happen sometimes.

Good post.

I remember when I lived in DC a few years back the timing of a snow/ice storm was perfect (in a terrible way) and commutes took some people 12-14 hours to get home. Thousands of cars got stuck and were just abandoned on the interstate. The city ended up towing all those cars for free just to get them out of the road. Commuting was an absolute disaster for a few days.

Winter weather is bad for all forms of travel.

Note to self. Never live near DC.

Great place to visit and spend 3-4 days, or even a week, but not a great place to live IMO.

I don't regret my time there because it helped me get some experience and a good job, but I'm glad to be gone.

I'm about two hours from DC and that's the closest I ever want to be to that place. Easy to make a day trip and easy to get the hell back out.

The only place I see high-speed rail working in the long run is in the eastern corridor (Boston-NYC-Philly-Baltimore-DC), California (Sacramento-SF-LA-San Diego), and Texas (Dallas-Austin-San Antonio-Houston). Regardless, the government will never get high speed rail to work, they need to privatize it just to give the industry a chance. Even then, it might still fail, but we're better off without it if the market cannot support it.