Have you ever traveled by train...

@Heartlander Me, too.

@Heartlander despite all this talk about infrastructure, hi speed rail, with the exception of a few intra /inter city operations, I doubt we’ll see a true return-vitalization of an American hi speed rail network. I hope I’m wrong. Like the included image, what once was, has been relegated to history, memories and model trains.[image deleted]

@soar2newhighs I have to sadly agree. The network has been destroyed and the cost of restoring it prohibitive. But it doesn't have to be high speed. It just has to be as fast as busses or automobiles. Look at all the freight traffic that still runs on rail. The tracks to get us from big city to big city are mostly still there; augment it with bus-service to connect the little cities with one another and to big city and we have a network where you can get from practically anywhere in the US to somewhere else within a few days.

@Heartlander Freight is the money maker. Passenger service succumbed to cars, highways and air travel.
But if you want rail service, not hi speed, you’re going to need a draw to bring people back.
First: assure those trains are rolling over sound, safe right of ways. Rails today are somewhat questionable at best.
Second: offer passengers good riding accommodations . Good on board prepared meals, comfortable sleeping accommodations and a highly trained staff for the customers.
3rd: get rid of the need for bus travel. The most a passenger should need is a cab or service like Lyft or uber.

@soar2newhighs

:) what you are describing is the way the airline first-class was before they abolished the CAB. Airplanes generally then flew at about 66% capacity, with lots of elbow room, overstaffed attendants, meals and flew to less than profitable destinations. That ended with deregulations .... the old question about whether the transportation business should be like public utility companies, or free for all businesses. For both rail and aviation, I think we went the wrong direction. Go by air if you have to get there by tomorrow and if you do, you pay a king's ransom for the ticket. If planning a leisure or adventure trip in 6 moths from now you get that ticket for peanuts. Isn't that backwards?

I think that big city traffic congestion would help make rail travel more acceptable. We drive trough the big Texas cities routinely and every time we drive though Dallas or Houston at rush hour my comments are to the tune of "I think I'm getting too old for this."

@Heartlander Great idea! Find some investors.

@soar2newhighs Great ideas.