I don't know if Ed Ellis is incompetent or just a dreamer...I don't believe he's a criminal.
IP had some great ideas like Pullman Rail Journeys but not enough capital to sustain it until it could be profitable. Some businesses need a couple years to turn a profit. Airlines like United have gone thru bankruptcy and reemerged maybe IP can do the same.
I think there's a market for something like Pullman Rail Journeys. Look at all the people that pay a lot of money to go on expensive cruises, fly first class and stay in luxury hotels.
On the other hand... maybe luxury overnight service added to Amtrak trains a couple times a week between major tourist population centers like Chicago and New Orleans is doomed to fail or needs a heavy subsidy regardless of who operates it. Look at American Orient Express.... Really nice train. It happened to operate during a recession.
Is the VIA Rail Canadian 20 car train profitable?
Is Alaska Railroad profitable with all the private cruise ship cars or does the state subsidize it just to get tourists to come to Alaska?
I assume Rocky Mountain tours is now profitable It may have taken them awhile to reach that stage. They don't run an overnight train
Maybe the only people who can make money are private car owners who can fill their smaller spaces a few times a year.
Tourist trains are another great concept but maybe IP's costs made tickets for families too expensive.
I'm a strong union supporter and I believe railroad workers should be well payed but if tourist railroads like Niles Canyon had to rely on full time union crews instead of volunteers maybe they wouldn't be around.
I feel bad for IP's workers and suppliers who didn't get paid.
IP should have to pay the appropriate penalties for labor code violations like failing to pay workers on time.
People who own businesses should run credit checks and demand payment in full if they believe a client might not have the cash to pay the tab.