Commentary by Andrew Selden, President, United Rail Passenger Alliance Amtrak recently told a U.S. Senator in writing (from an Amtrak senior executive officer) that elimination of all of the long distance trains (after transition costs) would increase its need for annual federal subsidy, because the same costs would continue to exist but be spread over…

Commentary by Russ Jackson Opinions expressed in this report are the author’s, and not necessarily those of the RailPAC Board This writer and spouse recently completed a November Amtrak circle trip, starting and ending with the Texas Eagle, which covered much of the western United States. For reporting purposes, the information below primarily covers the…

Commentary by Russ Jackson Comments are those of the writer, not necessarily those of the RailPAC Board. The three categories in the title of this writing are all tied to Amtrak in one way or another. Amtrak, as we know, is the “National Rail Passenger Corporation,” and is the purveyor of intercity passenger rail transportation.…

Commentary and a trip report by Andrew C. Selden NOTE: Mr. Selden is President of MinnARP, and is the newly elected President of URPA. He will be a speaker at the RailPAC November 15, 2014 Conference in Sacramento. The challenge of operating passenger trains, and in particular the higher revenue long distance trains (Amtrak’s largest,…

Commentary by Anthony Haswell, Vice President, Arizona Rail Passenger Association prepared for National Train Day, May 10, 2014, in Tucson, Arizona NOTE: Mr. Haswell is the founding father of NARP. He lives in Tucson, Arizona. The first job of any historian is to determine when a historical event began. Since Amtrak was created to deal…