I like your thoughts, Michael. Unfortunately raising the Gas Tax would also be a non-starter politically. The current administration has promised lotsa bucks for Amtrak; however my friends @ Amtrak say that's all it's been so far, a promise. There was a press conference @ Beech Grove to whoop & hollar over Stimulus money being used to repair bad order equipment, but out of service numbers have remained constant. Also consider the age of the newest Amtrak equipment,( other than Acela ) is the Talgos here in the PNW, at age 12. Mr. Boardman has stated in Trains mag that planning for Superliner / Amfleet replacements has to start NOW. This may not jive with Holly's view of the situation, but I will give Mr. Boardman a bit more credibility here.