About trains...?

Question

Why is it I've been longing for the days when there was no such thing as Amtrak, when steam locomotives ruled the rails, and there were more railroad companies than there are now? Or, am I just nostalgic?

Answer 1

My Grandpa was an Engineer on them and got shot in the arm from a 22 when I was about six.  Do you know that we still have caboose signalers because they have a great Union?

Answer 2

Although Amtrak is a far cry from the "glory days" of passenger rail when it was operated by the private freight railroads one must give the carrier credit.  For its lack of funding and constant bashing it receives from the political realm Amtrak actually does quite well with the money it does receive, almost always providing quality, comfortable service.  

In any event, it would be great if Amtrak could return to services once offered like on-board, prepared, meals and other amenities (which is proven to increase ridership) but again doing such falls into the category of funding, which it needs more of to do such things.  One other way Amtrak could gain appeal is to adorn certain named trains in their very own livery so as just to give them a more personal touch (whether the paint be from classic railroads to newly designed).

Answer 3

There were less air travellers. The populace is in a fast forward mode these days.