The Time When There Was Another Private Intercity Rail Startup
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- In the 1970s many passenger railroads were shutting down and passing on service to Amtrak. However there was one railroad that started up a passenger service during this time. The Auto Train Cooperation operated essentially the same service as Amtrak does today but with overzealous expansion plans and a few minor derailments the service was ended. Paving the way for Amtrak to take over the service and bring the autotrain that we have today.
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I think the Auto Train's idea was pure genius. Instead of relying on people to abandon their cars in favor of train service, the public's addiction and dependence of their cars is exactly what made people use the service. In other words, The Auto Train used their competitor (the roads) to their advantage. Some people in the U.S. see their cars as their companions, and don't want the possibility of losing it to theft while vacationing. While airlines are faster than trains, fitting a car on a passenger airliner is practically impossible.
Sometimes I wonder if Amtrak would make a profit if it converted ALL long-distance routes to auto train services. I mean, cars are convenient for short distances, but I wouldn't fancy a long, grueling road trip. Just sit back, relax, knowing your car is safe and sound, and leave the driving to someone else.
It could work out. But economics plays into everything so at what point would it become cheaper to just rent a car as your destination.
@@nyrailfan202 True. However, like locomotives can be different from each other, cars can as well. The car you rent could be ENTIRELY different from the one you're used to. Also, as I said, I'd imagine many people are addicted to their car. I mean, it's almost impossible to get around without a car in most places here in the U.S, so a driver would spend a LOT of time driving his or her car. Though, how many people fall into either category is unclear.
This is a valid point but what would the dollar value that people would put on it
@@nyrailfan202 Addiction to their cars. It's the same way video games are addicting. Play a game a few days, it can be easy to quit. But play that game for days on end, and it'll feel like that game is a part of you. Sure, it's cheaper to rent a car. I'm not arguing with that point. But there will always be those who see their cars as family members, just as people saw steam locomotives as living, breathing beings when they ruled the rails.
Not everyone focuses on what's more economical and what isn't. There will always be those who want to live life their way, regardless of the price associated with it.
One of the few profitable long-distance routes for Amtrak.
Exactly
Nice! I'd suggest trying to make the videos longer however I understand having limited time for this kind of stuff. If you want any ideas for topics let me know
I’m always open to ideas
AutoTrain started under many lucky stars. 1st the were able to purchase a lot of very good passenger equipment that Amtrak didn't have the money for. 2nd they were able to purchase new locomotives as an add on to an existing Seaboard Coast Line order(even to the point of purchasing EMD Blomberg trucks). Three they found a route with a lot of people who were willing to try something new.
Autotrain was very successful in their initial route.
The problems they had were tied almost exclusively to the Louisville to Sanford route. The railroad, Louisville & Nashville (L&N) was a wreck. And Autotrain soon found how bad. L&N promised a schedule they couldn't keep with the track. L&N tried to run a passenger schedule on bad track and Autotrain paid the price. A few years into operation Autotrain combined the train with Amtrak's Floridian.
The constantly late trains it pushed Autotrain into the red. The wrecks cost money and equipment that Autotrain was unable to replace. When Graham Claytor was running Amtrak he saw a bargain, scrapped the money together from Amtrak's money and bought it. He couldn't talk his brother at Norfolk Southern into letting Amtrak run an Autotrain from the midwest to Florida.
Exactly right
Awesome rail facts! 💯
Thank you
I love this series! How many more episodes will there be?
Right now the plan is to keep going until I get bored, twice a week. But what exactly is covered in the series will be broad and will shift around
As a kid in the 80s, when I first saw a toy train in that white/red/purple AutoTrain livery, I assumed it was made up, like most of the ones in Tyco's boxed train sets.
How could they do this to Dr. Amtrak????? Crazy in the membrane
Dr Amtrak
The 800 number is still used !
Is it really