GasBuddy Blog

Message Forum - Read Message

Category: GasBuddy Official Blog > Topics	Add to favorite topics Post New Topic

Author	Topic: Railroad company cripples Amtrak service	Post a Reply Back to Topics

PD Moderator	Message Posted: Apr 2, 2012 12:06:17 AM Ignore PD Report Abuse With high gasoline prices here to stay, many are seeking alternate travels to their destinations. I took Amtrak service a month ago and was completely blown away and will definitely be riding again. A close friend also took Amtrak this weekend and loved every moment- the leg room, the comfortable seats- everything. So recent news that surfaced may give Amtrak a black eye just as ridership begins to significantly increase. Norfolk Southern, a major railroad company with thousands of miles of railroad tracks just informed Amtrak that they must slow their trains between Chicago and Detroit from a recently approved 110mph speed limit to a service-crippling 25mph. Amtrak immediately issued long-term travel advisories stating... Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

Moderator

Message Posted: Apr 2, 2012 12:06:17 AM

Ignore PD Report Abuse

With high gasoline prices here to stay, many are seeking alternate travels to their destinations. I took Amtrak service a month ago and was completely blown away and will definitely be riding again. A close friend also took Amtrak this weekend and loved every moment- the leg room, the comfortable seats- everything.

So recent news that surfaced may give Amtrak a black eye just as ridership begins to significantly increase. Norfolk Southern, a major railroad company with thousands of miles of railroad tracks just informed Amtrak that they must slow their trains between Chicago and Detroit from a recently approved 110mph speed limit to a service-crippling 25mph.

Amtrak immediately issued long-term travel advisories stating...

Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

First

Next Last

Rehorsehay All-Star Author California Posts:871 Points:45,925 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 1:17:15 PM Ignore Rehorsehay Report Abuse Nice!
ahblid Rookie Author New York Posts:4 Points:180 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 8:31:14 AM Ignore ahblid Report Abuse KAR120CSII, Amtrak, being a wholly owned Federal corporation pays no taxes at all. Unlike CSX which pays plenty of taxes, especially property taxes. Many states have long considered RR's to be cash cows and have imposed some of the highest property taxes around on them.
KAR120CSII Champion Author Oregon Posts:3,188 Points:622,545 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:46:49 AM Ignore KAR120CSII Report Abuse Amtrak can't compete with the RR's that pay no taxes -- look at CSX.
gasokie Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,448 Points:1,326,225 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Apr 10, 2012 6:43:25 PM Ignore gasokie Report Abuse Amtrak continues to be a whipping boy for the government, the press and the railroads themnselves. It's a shame that Amtrak isn't promoted and made into a decent form of rail transportation. Lord knows the USA needs it.
savvygasgirl Rookie Author Michigan Posts:11 Points:2,005 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Apr 10, 2012 12:09:53 PM Ignore savvygasgirl Report Abuse That's too bad for Amtrak and it's passengers.
asirsultana Rookie Author Washington Posts:2 Points:5,320 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 10, 2012 11:57:55 AM Ignore asirsultana Report Abuse I ride the train from state to state as much as possible. The room is great, the scenery is amazing. I hope they get their act together and work out a better method to improve a wonderful mode of travel.
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,124 Points:293,545 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 10, 2012 10:36:31 AM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse yea
albert2008 Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:7,357 Points:1,481,985 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 10, 2012 8:05:23 AM Ignore albert2008 Report Abuse its to bad
BJWI Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:6,415 Points:737,300 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 10, 2012 12:54:53 AM Ignore BJWI Report Abuse I travel by train from Milwaukee to Chicago, but convenient train service does not exist to travel between many cities within the state of Wisconsin.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,632 Points:1,610,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2012 7:46:57 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse ahblid, you and phreddy are right in that some areas are not served by trains, thus, ppl can't take them. I disagree w/ phreddy in that those who live in more rural areas would not take the train. I would take public transportation, if I had that option. But there isn't even a bus line here.
ahblid Rookie Author New York Posts:4 Points:180 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 9:09:15 PM Ignore ahblid Report Abuse clermont40miles, It's not likely that many travel by train? I don't think so! Annual ridership on all train types have been increasing for the last 30 years, nearly doubling in fact. Not including Amtrak, which is busy setting its own records for ridership, 30 years ago American's took 2.488 Billion rides on trains. Now, as of last year, American's took 4.6 Billion rides on trains. The only reason that even more don't travel by train is because there aren't enough trains going enough places to accommodate them.
clermont40miles Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:10,583 Points:1,773,845 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 7:07:10 PM Ignore clermont40miles Report Abuse Not likely many supporters travel by train. They like the idea more than the reality. There are many other alternatives that are better for most folks. Green is red.
phreddy Rookie Author British Columbia Posts:19 Points:10,950 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 3:12:14 PM Ignore phreddy Report Abuse While it may be nice to be able to use public transportation to save on gas, those of us who live in the country don't have the opportunity. I'm not sure we'd use it if we did as we tend to be a fairly independant lot.
clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,359 Points:755,230 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 3:07:32 PM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse that's terrible
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,632 Points:1,610,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 5:57:11 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse maybe the government should be subsidizing rail more as it is a more effective means for mass transportation (people or "stuff") esp. when given long distances w/out major interruptions.
rternes62 Rookie Author Michigan Posts:2 Points:76,340 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 4:23:08 AM Ignore rternes62 Report Abuse big business telling the government what to do...typical
ahblid Rookie Author New York Posts:4 Points:180 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 1:19:11 AM Ignore ahblid Report Abuse taximom5IL wrote: "Quite a discrepancy in speeds. I wonder what initially had the speeds rise to 110, and then to such a drastic decline of 25mph." The way that they wrote things is a bit confusing. Amtrak currently owns about 1/2 of the line through Michigan, the western half. It is on the Amtrak section where they just raised speeds from 95 MPH to 110 MPH. Norfolk Southern owns the eastern half of the line and it is there where the speeds were dropped because NS isn't properly maintaining the tracks. And as someone else posting earlier hinted at, one does have to wonder if indeed this is a tactic designed to speed up closing the deal that the State of Michigan just inked with NS to buy the line. Once Michigan owns that half of the line, work will begin to fix any remaining problems and to start working towards 110 MPH speeds for that half.
ahblid Rookie Author New York Posts:4 Points:180 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 1:13:31 AM Ignore ahblid Report Abuse Tekkie wrote: "Does this mean we won't have to subsidize Amcrack so much?" We don't subsidize Amtrak very much at all, especially when compared to other forms of travel like say the car. According to the Taxpayer's Receipt for 2009, a married couple with 2 kids and $80K in income paid $3.83 towards Amtrak via their Federal income tax. That same couple paid $110.06 towards the highways via their income tax. That's on top of what they paid via gas taxes, state taxes, other fees, and property taxes for our roads & highways. A retired couple with $100K in income paid $3.11 towards Amtrak and $89.38 towards the highways, even if they can no longer drive a car, much less own one.
Reishman Veteran Author Illinois Posts:384 Points:517,365 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 10:26:21 PM Ignore Reishman Report Abuse I dn't trust railroads.
roadrunnin Champion Author Richmond Posts:1,760 Points:566,955 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 9:45:40 AM Ignore roadrunnin Report Abuse If they tried that on the car highways drivers would riot.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,632 Points:1,610,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 5:57:45 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse funny how in Europe we see rail being a good part of the public transportation system. Esp. high speed trains like the TGV. Here? companies try to kill each other.
KAR120CSII Champion Author Oregon Posts:3,188 Points:622,545 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 2:15:04 AM Ignore KAR120CSII Report Abuse Good post -- private railroads go on the public dole -- CSX paid no taxes for years -- and stiffle Amtrak.
sparky808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,008 Points:599,685 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 4, 2012 1:14:47 PM Ignore sparky808 Report Abuse Thank you for posting.
gasokie Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,448 Points:1,326,225 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Apr 4, 2012 12:19:20 PM Ignore gasokie Report Abuse The railroads have been a boil on the backside of humanity since their inception back in the 1800s. But they are necessary and desirable ways to move both freight and people. I don't have an answer but something needs to be done..especially about passenger train service. Amtrak will never compete with these low speeds. In the early part of the 1900s passenger trains scooted along at speeds from 85 to over 100MPH. Now, for instance, the Heartland Flyer from Ft. Worth to OKC is harassed with being switched to a siding and speed limits at 55MPH where the former speeds averaged 80 to 90MPH. Burlington uses those lines to haul freight and a lot of coal at 35 MPH or less.
fuel2use Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,493 Points:734,300 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 4, 2012 9:58:15 AM Ignore fuel2use Report Abuse Tough situation.
gawxnative All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:510 Points:229,865 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Apr 4, 2012 8:17:29 AM Ignore gawxnative Report Abuse Frieght traffic pays the bills
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,632 Points:1,610,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 4, 2012 6:04:24 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse as long as NS is allowed to do it, they will continue to do so in other places. That's the problem when you don't own the tracks.
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,906 Points:774,220 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 4, 2012 12:06:41 AM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse Go back to handcars.
CdnLynx Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,024 Points:524,960 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 11:53:24 PM Ignore CdnLynx Report Abuse Sorry folks on my post re: speed Not sure what I did wrong but it did not come out properly! MeaCulpa!
CdnLynx Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,024 Points:524,960 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 11:48:23 PM Ignore CdnLynx Report Abuse March 16, 2012 Norfolk Southern slows train speeds between Dearborn and Kalamazoo NORFOLK, VA. - Effective March 15, 2012, Norfolk Southern lowered the railroad operating speed limits on certain sections of the Michigan Line between Dearborn and Kalamazoo that handle both Amtrak’s passenger service and Norfolk Southern’s freight service. These lower speed limits have been imposed to reflect the maximum safe operating speeds for the line, given the line’s condition. Safety is of paramount importance in both passenger and freight rail operations. The reduction in railroad operating speed limits both has been anticipated over time and is in conformance with existing agreements between Norfolk Southern and Amtrak. Other portions of the Michigan mainline experienced similar reductions in railroad operating speed limits in 2011. Some of those 2011 speed reductions were later eliminated as the result of work funded by Michigan DOT. The Michigan Line is currently the subject of an existing agreement that anticipates the acquisition of the rail line by Michigan, and the subsequent rehabilitation of the line to handle maximum authorized speeds of up to 110 mph for passenger trains. That transaction is expected to be completed later this year, pending federal regulatory review. “Until ownership of the Michigan Line is transferred, Norfolk Southern is willing to perform work on the line on behalf of Amtrak or Michigan DOT to address any passenger operating concerns,” said John V. Edwards, Norfolk Southern’s general director passenger policy. “This work is not necessary to provide freight service, but if the passenger service providers want to provide the necessary funding, we will do it." [Edited by: CdnLynx at 4/3/2012 11:49:59 PM EST]
KAR120CSII Champion Author Oregon Posts:3,188 Points:622,545 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 10:32:22 PM Ignore KAR120CSII Report Abuse Thanks DickAAA -- you're right. The railroads have been on the public dole for years -- but if they can screw Amtrak they'll do it.
taximom5IL Rookie Author Champaign Posts:9 Points:65,805 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 10:20:51 PM Ignore taximom5IL Report Abuse Quite a discrepancy in speeds. I wonder what initially had the speeds rise to 110, and then to such a drastic decline of 25mph. Surely they've done studies to see which speed(s) would be more appropriate along these treks of railroad that Amtrak will be utilizing. I believe that when consumers hear the name Amtrak, they think fast! Not 5mph faster than a school zone.
Sparky19038 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,048 Points:580,140 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 4:53:27 PM Ignore Sparky19038 Report Abuse Interesting: "The slow orders from NS come while it is negotiating to complete the sale of the line to the State of Michigan." There aren't enough details regarding the technical reasons for the slow order, but the cynic in me immediately wonders if this is a negotiating tactic.
gknee09 All-Star Author Philadelphia Posts:985 Points:823,765 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 3:56:48 PM Ignore gknee09 Report Abuse that stinks for Amtrak and passengers
kelly1016 Champion Author Victoria Posts:1,953 Points:352,940 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 3:06:44 PM Ignore kelly1016 Report Abuse Trians are a much better alternative to air planes for mid distance travel. This is a short term maintainance problem. Train travel will continue to improve and take more frieght
WhiteTreeIndian Champion Author New Jersey Posts:5,659 Points:1,123,085 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 2:37:15 PM Ignore WhiteTreeIndian Report Abuse Hopefully they will work out a better plan.
DickAAA Champion Author St. Louis Posts:2,266 Points:1,362,685 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 2:20:41 PM Ignore DickAAA Report Abuse The American tax payer just spent a large sum of money to improve NS trackage so the 100 MPH Amtrack trains could hurry between Chicago and Detroit. Why are they allowed to slow down the trains now????
adgam Champion Author Orange County Posts:2,264 Points:501,020 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 2:15:34 PM Ignore adgam Report Abuse ok
traumer Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:5,379 Points:1,339,425 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 2:15:15 PM Ignore traumer Report Abuse The railroad company it seems is trying to kill off Amtrak.
CORKYWC All-Star Author Chicago Posts:551 Points:2,117,870 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 2:14:52 PM Ignore CORKYWC Report Abuse I am not surprise at good service.
ftsgt Champion Author Illinois Posts:13,052 Points:2,484,520 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 2:13:12 PM Ignore ftsgt Report Abuse high speed rail not off to a good start
humancry Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,618 Points:1,002,455 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 2:10:35 PM Ignore humancry Report Abuse Its always got something to do with money somewhere.
TustinDad Champion Author Orange County Posts:4,300 Points:908,540 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 2:09:01 PM Ignore TustinDad Report Abuse dacofa wrote: "Behind closed door politics by the idiot in the WH." If you could just explain your warped sense of "logic" you used when you came up with this comment, I would be very glad to listen.
mediccoy Champion Author North Carolina Posts:11,920 Points:2,313,055 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 2:08:41 PM Ignore mediccoy Report Abuse To travel any great distance, it's much cheaper to fly than spend days on a train. But I do love riding them on short trips when I can. That includes Tweetsie railroad in Blowing Rock NC too!
rbrowdersr Champion Author Detroit Posts:5,726 Points:1,819,960 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 2:05:53 PM Ignore rbrowdersr Report Abuse Hope this delay ends soon.
W5IEM Veteran Author Lexington Posts:265 Points:359,595 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 2:05:13 PM Ignore W5IEM Report Abuse Unfortunately in my area rail is not an option...
dacofa Champion Author Nevada Posts:5,375 Points:1,150,610 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 2:01:15 PM Ignore dacofa Report Abuse Behind closed door politics by the idiot in the WH.
julius1st4 Champion Author Ontario Posts:4,216 Points:1,191,575 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 2:01:01 PM Ignore julius1st4 Report Abuse I commented yesterday.
colaguy Champion Author Columbia Posts:3,176 Points:1,008,950 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 1:59:47 PM Ignore colaguy Report Abuse not good
hibsaw Champion Author Mississippi Posts:8,047 Points:1,682,940 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 1:59:41 PM Ignore hibsaw Report Abuse I would much rather be delayed 45 minutes than derail at a high speed on a stretch of track that is being upgtaded.