A perennial target of conservatives (i.e.: the Cato Institute), Amtrak nonetheless is still around and growing ridership. (pdf file) The latest news (here in the Washington Post) should make those riders happy - Amtrak is getting some new cars.
The 130 cars will replace some of the 1940s and 1950s era cars on several long distance routes. Passengers on the Lake Shore Limited (Chicago, Boston), Cardinal (Chicago, D.C., New York), Crescent (New York, D.C. New Orleans) and Silver Service (variety of East Coast and Southern destinations) routes can expect to see the new cars in the summer of 2014.
In total, Amtrak spent $298.1 million for the new cars which include 25 sleepers, 25 diners, 25 baggage/dormitory and 55 baggage cars. The cars were built by CAF USA in Elmira, N.Y.
The Washington Post article links to an Amtrak video that lays out what the cars are like, and how important they are not just to Amtrak, but to the economy.
http://youtu.be/...
The National Association of Railroad Passengers has taken a look at the new cars, and is pleased by what they're seeing:
Baggage cars can accommodate up to 16 bicycles, baggage dorms up to eight. The baggage cars have hinged doors which seal, to provide climate control. They also will have good lighting, and two levels of pull-down racks (one near the floor) so that suitcases normally will be placed on racks instead of directly on the floor.
The dining cars have 12 tables, including one ADA table (seats on just one side).
Sleeping cars have 12 roomettes, two deluxe bedrooms (which can be sold as a single suite) and one ADA room, whose door is powered. For roomette passengers, there are two ‘public’ bathrooms and one shower. There are still fold-down sinks in the roomettes.
Again, to emphasize the impact this is having on the economy:
Local officials in ChemungCounty are pleased that a plant which was idle two years ago now has over 500 workers (over 400 for Amtrak order; balance for Houston LRT order) and is expected to have 570 next year. The county executive is particularly pleased that CAF USA purchased the facility as opposed to just “leasing and leaving.” CAF also has focused on hiring local contractors, further enhancing employment. Before 1986, the facility was part of US Steel, producing for the KennedySpaceCenter, Verrazano-NarrowsBridge, and other East Coast bridges. Then came SumiRail, ABB, Subsidiaries thereof, Bombardier (owned but did not use) and finally CAF.
In addition to the 400 new jobs directly created by the $298.1 million investment, economic benefits are extending across a network of more than 120 parts suppliers in 25 states and 93 cities.
In addition, the
Washington Post article notes additional investments in passenger rail by Amtrak:
The investment is part of a major capital improvement push that began in 2012. Amtrak also invested $466 million for 70 new locomotives to enhance the speed and reliability of rail service in the Northeast corridor.
Again from Amtrak:
http://youtu.be/...
Compare this with a USA Today story that could be titled class warfare in the skies:
The big U.S. airlines are taking out old, bulky seats in favor of so-called slimline models that take up less space from front to back, allowing for five or six more seats on each plane.
...And this is all going on in coach at a time when airlines are spending heavily to add better premium seats in the front of the plane.
The
USA Today article is a bit ingenuous, calling the move a "trend among the airlines to view seats as money-makers, not just pieces of furniture." Uh, no. The airline business has always been about selling seats on planes. As the article notes, lighter seats mean less weight, and less weight means lower fuel bills for the airlines - a critical factor in their bottom line - but that the airlines are choosing to then add back weight by adding more seats is a pretty clear indication that adding to passenger comfort with increased space is not a priority - unless passengers are willing (and able) to pay more for it.
And then there's this.
Or this - a story that could hardly have happened without Amtrak.
All in all, the Amtrak news is in marked contrast to the news coming out of the airline industry. More trains, better trains, trains that create good jobs here and save energy - what's not to like?
Meanwhile, here's ten minutes of Amtrak trains in Vermont, as Summer shades into Fall.
http://youtu.be/...