Seattle Amtrak derails in Montana

[primaltech]

We need a high speed (220+ mph) rail network so bad. Seattle to Chicago by rail should take about 12 hours or so.

Which still of course wouldn't be as fast as flying for that particular long distance route, but it would make it an option, at least. High speed rail's sweet spot would be distances of around 400-600 miles. It would definitely compete with flying for that range of medium distance travel.

Anyway, yes, the current version of passenger railroads in the US is so uselessly slow. I barely understand what the point of it is.

[pnwguy2]

Originally Posted by primaltech

We need a high speed (220+ mph) rail network so bad. Seattle to Chicago by rail should take about 12 hours or so.

Which still of course wouldn't be as fast as flying for that particular long distance route, but it would make it an option, at least. High speed rail's sweet spot would be distances of around 400-600 miles. It would definitely compete with flying for that range of medium distance travel.

Anyway, yes, the current version of passenger railroads in the US is so uselessly slow. I barely understand what the point of it is.

Mostly nostalgia for older folks and a cool thing for younger folks. Perhaps also important for short haulers using only a small part of the system.

[t. raleigh fingers]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

Mostly nostalgia for older folks and a cool thing for younger folks. Perhaps also important for short haulers using only a small part of the system.

Mostly a source of pelf (ill-gotten gains) for those working for Amtrak, in my opinion. When you're losing $800 million on cheeseburgers and soda, both of which made Ray Kroc wealthy beyond his dreams, there's something other than nostalgia and cool factor going on.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/a...rgers-and-soda

Taxpayers lost $833 million over the last decade on the food and beverages supplied by Amtrak, which managed to spend $1.70 for every dollar that received in revenue.