The Tortoise (freight) and the Hare (passenger), Courtesy of Norfolk Southern

[Euphod]

Interesting article:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...sman-marc-magliari-amtrak-trains-tim-hoeffner

 

[rjhowie]

Kind of shows what happens with a rail system geared essentially to freight which can run slow over rubbish tracks. Seems a rather Philistine attitude by the railway company and doesn't say much for progress on a modern passneger effort? Maybe when one of their goods trains bumps off their lousy track and effects their profits they might do something. What a ridiculous situation.

 

[Euphod]

Point taken, but I'd be interested to know the legal details in the trackage rights agreement. Does it stipulate the tracks must be kept in good repair for the Amtraks, or are they at the mercy of good repair for the freights? It states Michigan may buy the track from NS, then Michigan will be responsible for the upkeep, and NS will have to lease rights from them? All a matter of who is responsible for what. I don't see NS being responsible for the Amtrak operations, and apparently they don't either!