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Re: Amtrak Puzzle: RailwayAge Andrew vs. Richard? Two failed visions?
Author: david vartanoff
Date: 08-17-2019 - 22:39
E-L went belly courtesy of Hurricane Agnes. Yes PC was already in bankruptcy. Yes, Milw was in trouble way beyond their ICC regulated passenger trains. That said, the amount of Class 1 lobbying of Congress and the Nixon administration to get Amtrak created indicates THEY thought it was worth the $$ and effort.
A look at maps in the 50s shows SIX rrs vying for business in the Chgo-Omaha market; today we have 3 if you count what's left of the CRIP and former IC as 1/2 each.
Several similar examples exist in other once competitive markets. That said, while the class 1s looked good on tonnage for a while, once coal is truly finished, they are again looking at a very ugly future. They never really got "customer service" or genuine speed between shipper and consignee, and we have all read accounts of "chasing off" small volume shippers.
A look at maps in the 50s shows SIX rrs vying for business in the Chgo-Omaha market; today we have 3 if you count what's left of the CRIP and former IC as 1/2 each.
Several similar examples exist in other once competitive markets. That said, while the class 1s looked good on tonnage for a while, once coal is truly finished, they are again looking at a very ugly future. They never really got "customer service" or genuine speed between shipper and consignee, and we have all read accounts of "chasing off" small volume shippers.
