Dave.
Your remarks make some sense. As it is now, AMTRAK operates routes most of which lose money. What is it? The eastern corridor can possibly break even? What's to prevent a private operator from saying,"We are only going to keep the eastern corridor and abandon the rest of the losers?". If you are saying, utilize the talents of a private operator to run the business more efficiently and economically with a government subsidy, you might be able to make that work. Now you are going to have to arm wrestle the government for the amount of subsidy you need as a supplement if you have to keep the losers. The next battle you have to win is with the railroads over which their row's you have to operate and the maintenance an on time schedule with them.
R.E.Rail