This actually makes sense and would be an efficient use of equipment. However, Amtrak would have to be on time... which brings us to UP and BNSF being cooperative. While the tunnel can handle most any Amtrak equipment, and the track itself is, for the most part in superb condition, there is the matter of dark territory over Stampede. No doubt BNSF is going to try to get someone else to eat at least part of the cost of full signalling, and isn't going to let Amtrak use the line on daily basis until those signals are in place. Lawyers and insurance companies... UP might not be real happy about renewed passenger service messing with however they want to operate the old OWRR&N between Hinkle and Salt Lake. Getting the silver bullets through a congested line gives some dispatchers the willys. If the government were to do what may be needed for better on time Amtrak performance, and impose passenger priority -- sort of super Z status -- the screaming in Omaha and Ft. Worth should be a nine day wonder... I dunno, maybe we should simply require the class I's and II's to operate designated passenger trains and require on time performance using, say, the 1960 timetables as a baseline,,, Know also that what really paid the railroads for their passenger service wasn't passengers: it was fat mail contracts (Yes, snail mail was actually often faster 50 years ago!). Grandpa's postcards helped pay for the North Coast Limited.