Welcome to the Trainscapes segment! Each week here on Geek Alabama, Trainscapes will feature train content including videos of trains and behind the scenes action of trains and locomotives. Some people have an interest in seeing trains, and we here at Geek Alabama aim to please the train lovers!
Amtrak has broken all-time annual ridership records for two years in a row and support for passenger rail expansion hovers near 80% nationally. So why isn’t Amtrak expanding faster?
Right now, the fragility of the United States transportation system is on full display. Spirit Airlines has ceased operations, raising the cost floor for domestic air travel. Brightline faces major financial challenges. The Heartland Flyer connecting Dallas-Fort Worth to Oklahoma City may cease operations after Texas declined continued funding, even as the state spends tens of billions expanding highways.
If you ask me, it’s kind of insane that we effectively have just two realistic options for long-distance travel in the US: expensive flights or hours in the car.
With Amtrak posting record ridership and new routes like the Borealis that quickly exceed expectations, why does passenger rail expansion still move so slowly? Why are projects taking 10-15 years when the tracks already exist?
