The dismantling of Amtrak, continued

If properly used, the word "dismantling" refers to taking apart a machine or structure. However, in the case of Amtrak, I cannot think of a better word for what current upper management is doing to the U.S. passenger network. It appear that, as with so many other laws, political expediency allows the Amtrak board to ignore the congressional mandate for Amtrak to serve the nation with a "passenger rail network," and allow what can only be slow and systematic effort to strip Amtrak of any future ability to meet that goal.

The day I wrote this paragraph, earlier in December 2018, Amtrak announced that checked baggage will no longer be carried on the Lake Shore Limited's Boston section. Essentially, this means that a passenger traveling from Chicago to Boston can check baggage through to Albany, but not to Boston, leaving the possibility that neither passenger nor baggage will arrive Boston at the same time.

Not a day goes by when I do not read a report of some aspect of Amtrak service that is either being cut back, cheapened, or, worse, simply eliminated. Few days go by when there are not multiple reports of late trains or poor conditions that are worsened by Amtrak employees, under the gun to cut costs at all costs, trying to do their jobs as instructed by management. Start with the management buyouts that left Amtrak almost without anyone in responsible position with any historical memory of what passenger rail is or can be. Move on to substitution of airline-style box lunches for dining car service. Note, I did not say they were airline-quality. Reports are that the Amtrak "happy meals" would have to be considerably improved to live up to meals on airlines where they are served.

Though it seemed like a just commentary on the meal quality when passengers had to use the meal boxes as toilet facilities after the power went down on a train (for hours) and the all-electric facilities became inoperable, it truly was just pathetic. There was a time I would never want to stand too close to a passing train for fear someone was flushing as the train passed, but I can't imagine there is not some inventor out there who could come up with a hybrid-with-a-holding-tank that didn't need voltage to operate. How about a battery pack in each unit. Oops! I'm suggesting that CEO Anderson spend money on a capital improvement. (Which will probably get allocated to trains that already have battery boxes under the cars.)

It seems unconscionable in this time of mobile high-tech equipment that critical facilities on our so-called national passenger rail network require direct contact with the power grid--or a very large extension cord.

Whatever happens, I'm sure that 2019 will bring even more railroading foibles, fantastic triumphs, and just plain news. Happy New Year, everybody!