April 9, 2021 - RailwayAge.com - David Peter Alan -

“America’s Railroad” recently released a map showing the services it would like to offer by 2035; 14 years from now. As planning frontiers go, that is not a very long time. For us seniors, who remember the entire Amtrak era, it feels like an eternity; far beyond our lifetimes.

Everybody seems to be talking about the plan. One advocate called it “propaganda.” while Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono called it “an optimistic wish list.” Both views have merit. Advocates’ hopes for a strong, robust and expanded Amtrak have been dashed time and time again over the past five decades. Under current circumstances, though, Vantuono’s view deserves consideration. At least Amtrak is thinking about expansion, which “hasn’t happened for the longest time,” to quote Billy Joel.

Read more: https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/intercity/amtrak-2035-map-hopes-and-challenges/