A backward look at train service to Santa Fe (Albuquerque: fit in, how much)

[Minathebrat]

I would love to see the US reinvest in it's rail and other transit systems. It's really sad when you think of all the rail lines that used to run that don't anymore. We could really use some alternatives to cars.

[Mike Horrell]

Originally Posted by Minathebrat

I would love to see the US reinvest in it's rail and other transit systems. It's really sad when you think of all the rail lines that used to run that don't anymore. We could really use some alternatives to cars.

I agree. There's got to be a way to provide passenger service profitably.

I'd rather see $25B put into that than into building more Cadillac Escalades..

[Towanda]

newmex, Greg W, Minathebrat, Mike Horrell:

All of you have expressed an interest in seeing the U.S. rebuild its rail service.

That would cost an awfully lot of government money ... and to what end?

I guess I am wondering why you think increased rail service would be a good thing for the country?

Are you thinking more people would choose to use rail than air or their own vehicles? I am not sure that is the case.

I would like to take the Rail Runner to Albuquerque maybe occasionally, and it would be fun to take the AMTRAK once or twice as a novelty on a vacation, or the scenic excursion train from Santa Fe to Lamy once ....

but I am betting most people are like me and would not become regular users of rail in this country.

Would the four of you use rail service regularly? Or does it just evoke romantic images of the past in the USA? Or do you consider it some sort of green thing, causing people to use their cars less often?

Any thoughts on that?

[Muhnay]

TOWANDA, if we put in place a super Fast Magna Rail, like they have in Europe I am sure the people of the US would use it for travel from coast to coast... and areas in between. Texas is in the process of such a system between its major metros and later on the entire state.

It is a cleaner safer mode of travel, and can be cheeper and faster than Air.

[Mike Horrell]

Frankly it might not make a lot of sense in the sparsely settled West, but
rail travel on both coasts makes a TON of sense and, yes, I believe if it were
clean, reliable (stress on reliable), frequent and affordable I believe many
people who currently travel by car or air would use it.

Amtrak passenger service between Washington, DC and Gnu Yawk is essentially
a wash on time with air shuttles and the last time I used it (2002) rail was
not only cheaper but actually put you right in the heart of the city rather
than on the outskirts.

Amtrak management makes GM's look like the souls of enlightenment by comparison
because despite 50+ years of p*ss-poor operations the East Coast passenger
traffic IS STILL THERE and would expand explosively if offered decent service.

Passenger rail on the East Coast is literally standing room only many times
so you have to ask just how many people will not take the train because of
the lack of seat reservations and overcrowding?

Kansas to Wyoming? Now that's an entirely different story...

[Minathebrat]

Not romantic. Practical.

I think for transportation of goods and materials, freight trains are much more practical than the army of big rigs running up and down the roads that we have now. I like the idea of the big trucks being able to pick up their already-loaded trailers at the railyard and then from there, onto their final destinations. That would make a huge impact on our environment- and I don't mean just nature. Safer for drivers, less wear and tear on roads, not to mention that most truckers would rather be local or regional than OTR- at least the ones I know.

Also, fast commuter rails are the way to go from suburbs to urban centers. It's convenient, it's ecologically friendly, it's nice to be able to read a book or nap on your way to work, less congestion and traffic jams with fewer cars on the roads. But they need to be fast, like the ones they have in Europe, I agree. Not everyone has the inclination to spend 5 hours a day on a train commuting to the city (like my uncle).

I also think the West has more of a challenge for integrating public transportation because their cities were designed as driving cities, and major metro areas areas are much farther apart geographically. However, someone might come up with something clever. For the West, definitely a better car, one that doesn't burn fossil fuel, and perhaps a new type of shuttle service? One that makes use of the better surface roads?

Just pondering. Although if I had my druthers, I'd prefer anti-grav engine hover-pods to any of it!

[Mike Horrell]

Originally Posted by Minathebrat

Just pondering. Although if I had my druthers, I'd prefer anti-grav engine hover-pods to any of it!

The heck with that, let's just go straight to transporters...

http://blogs.kpbs.org/images/uploads/TransporterRoom.jpg (broken link)

[Towanda]

I guess I wasn't talking about freight trains; I know they have a place in modern business and they do seem to be thriving.

I am interested in the reasons people think passenger rail travel would be attractive to the general population ... and how rebuilding a rail system would be worth the millions of $$$ in cost.

I have seen the AMTRAK pull into Lamy, and it appears to have sparse ridership.

I don't even think we know if the ABQ to Santa Fe Rail Runner is going to be a success yet.....

[Towanda]

Transporters I would go for.

[Minathebrat]

Beam me up!