Time to pony up for the Iron Horse

An article in the November 4th Parade Magazine entitled, "A Better Way to Travel" highlights the current state of the nation's rail transportation system. It is interesting that the mode of transportation that is credited with opening up the westward expansion during the 1800s is now the black sheep of the transportation family.

Having travelled in Europe, I have experienced first hand what a wonderful and exciting trip can be had by rail. In addition, Europeans make it unnecessary to travel by car. To be fair, the entire continent of Europe can fit inside the Eastern half (from the Mississippi east) of the United States, but that doesn't excuse our lack of decent rail transportation.

I would travel to Chicago by rail, except the trip is over 28 hours long each way and costs over $280 round trip. This compares to a trip on American Airlines which would take just over two hours but would cost $448 round trip (which could be lowered to under $225 if I reserve farther in advance). This same trip would take 15 hours by car and cost less than $250 in gas.

If we were to invest in some of the rail technology currently commonplace in other places around the globe, we could reduce that trip to something more in the range of 9-12 hours. This is still longer than a plane trip, but it offers several advantages. First, you can walk freely around the train as it travels. Second, unlike air travel, you will travel regardless of rain, wind, snow, fog, etc. Lastly, rail travel affords time for relaxation, cell phone use, laptop use, reading, watching out the window, and conversation. While some of this is available during air travel, some of it is not and most of it is not available during travel by car.

Given this, I feel that it is time the United States government and the individual states, begin looking to rail travel as a way to reduce dependence on foreign oil and emission of CO2 gases. The federal government pays billions to build and maintain highways, why shouldn't a good portion of that money go towards building and maintaining a reasonable rail system? History has shown that when given the option to take a well-run, on-time, conveniently scheduled train versus any other type of transportation, train useage increases dramatically. It's time to contact your Representatives and Senators and let them know there is a need for federal money to improve and increase our rail availability.

Thoughts anyone?