Dr Zarkoff Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There are a few misconceptions going on in this
> thread.
>
> First off, it's Key Tours who cuts the number of
> trains, not Amtrak, and they base their decision
> on the number of tickets sold per train. As for
> the mechanical department, they don't mind having
> the Fun Train, although it causes a bit of a
> traffic jam in the passenger yard. This isn't to
> say that Amtrak's descision to supply fewer cars
> has no impact because the private car owners who
> are willing to step into the breach might not be
> able to meet some artificially stringent financial
> conditions.
>
> The decline in ridership has two causes: 1) the
> start-up of the Indian casinos all over California
> and 2) the downturn in the economy.
>
> The UP's dispatching has gotten better, mainly
> because about two years ago Amtrak sued the UP
> over the issue of late LD trains (not the Fun
> train per se). Amtrak won, and this caused a sea
> change in the UP's attitude, literally overnight,
> and not just in the LA area. It's also had a
> ripple effect to other railroads.
>
> >Not likely. Traffic congestion over Donner and
> the former WP would have to reach intolerable
> levels. The UP will want the state to help foot
> the bill and they barely reached an agreement
> about increased state funding for the Donner line
> to run Capitols to Reno.
>
> Last I heard, this deal fell through completely.

You're right.


> Change "Amtrak" to read "Caltrans", except for
> 5/6's slot, and you're probably a lot closer to
> the truth.


I should have been more clear, I meant "Amtrak California" ie, Caltrans. Thanks for catching that.