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Rich Kimmel (RRRICH) noted at another topic:
quote: So, what WILL AMTRAK look like under President Trump and his Republican House and Senate? I have not heard anything yet from his campaign or his first week of "transition"
Rich, I wouldn't be concerned that Amtrak has not been mentioned thus far in the transition. It is simply not a front burner issue, nor can I think any advocate could expect such.
I really think Amtrak will jtust roll along in its present state, and likely not much different if there would have been a Clinton administration. It will "get it's $B" in annual funding and will get RRIF "loans" for the needed equipment replacements. Now that new Acela equipment is "on the books", the next initiative is some 500 single level cars and some 200 locomotives to handle trains over the Class I roads - they don't like having 20 year old P-42's "crapping".
There will be enough middle level Appointees and Civil Service passengers to keep the Corridor's Premium and Standard services (currently tagged Acela and Regional) quite sustainsble (more so if a certain structure on 5th Ave at 56th Street becomes the "Golden White House").The pattern is clearly set that if regions away from the NEC want service, they "pony up" with their own equipment. Will third party operators, e.g.Iowa Pacific, have a place in the new era? That depends how strong or weak Amtrak as an agency can find in the Administration.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Gil -- thanks for starting this topic for me!
At this point, I agree with your initial assessment. Trump does mention the "infrastructure" -- does that include AMTRAK? I guess we'll find out eventually.......
George Harris Member # 2077
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Think a moment: "Infrastructure" concerning railroads no more means Amtrak for the majority of its route structure than than it means Greyhound when it comes to highways. Also, given the election results in Northeast Corridor territory Trump owes that part of the country nothing politically.
All this said, when it comes to functional transportation of people, infrastructure should mean development and improvement of railroad transportation facilities, both below and above the rail, in ALL densely populated corridors in lieu of continual addition of road lanes that are full to congested promptly upon opening.
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