^^^I agree there are rail lines to every small town, but I am not sure all of those could accommodate Amtrak, even if they wanted to put in a line. Amtrak always seems to follow fairly major rail lines that are regularly maintained. All those lines in the country would need a serious upgrade before they could handle passenger rail, especially anything at high speed. Plus, many rail lines in small towns are being abandoned as the grain industry consolidates and ships more cargo by truck to ports, like Saint Louis. Also, individual farmers are beginning to ship their own grain, so there is less reliance on local granaries. But, you are right, many rail lines are still there they just need improvement.
But, I think I would oppose any more major investment in Amtrak, such as new lines. I am fine maintaining what we have at present, but it is an outdated system and will never be profitable. What we need is a viable alternative mass transit system for city to city trips. If I am going from Saint Louis to Denver, I am flying (Frontier by the way). The only time I would consider taking the train is from StL to KC, Indy, Chicago, Memphis or shorter trips like that where waiting in line and getting my shoes checked at the airport is just not worth it. That is the only place Amtrak even has a chance at working in the air travel era.
So, you have to think about designing a system to function in that era, not a system that functioned well in the past. Also, you have to think about a system for a population that is addicted to individual mobility. I don't care what they do in Europe, I am never, never giving up the freedom that my individual car provides me (plus, I am not really fond of walking where I need to go in Memphis). Within those kinds of constraints, we have to think about redesigning the transportation system.
So, here is a possibility or example of what might work in today's world given the constraints we are faced with. Think about this: integrated rail/car capability. We need personal transport vehicles that can function like a train and like a car. You have seen those trucks of the rail companies that run both on rails and on tires, well, like that only high speed when on rail and the rail would be elevated and designed both with clean energy and for extremely high speeds. When in town, you use the gas/electric/hydrogen (right, eh) engine like a normal car. But, if you wanted to go to KC, you go to the station, buy a $5 pass, and then transition to the passenger dedicated rail, which is high speed (100 mph or so to start and up from there). Since everyone would be going the same speed to the same destination in the same direction (two accompanying lines), there would be: (1) limited traffic issues, (2) more safety on the highways because it would be mostly trucks using them in the rural areas, (3) vastly reduced carbon-fuel dependence, (4) increased productivity (like a train you can work while you travel, not to mention the time saved, (5) massive new investment in cities around the transportation centers (if you want McDonalds you would have to get it before you go in the city), (6) etc. etc. etc. When approaching the destination, the lines would split off, the transports would slow down and exit the rail line and function like cars again.
Given what we could potentially save on highway construction and fuel costs, you could probably almost pay for it. Plus, at $5 or more dollars per toll, you could generate a lot of money very quickly. But, of course, like the Interstates, it would be an investment in our future as a nation, so the long term returns would massively outweigh the initial costs.
Anyway, that is just a possibility I have thought of (yeah when bored at work and based on observations of various Discovery channel programs). But, that is what we need. A major change like that to the transportation system instead of putting more investment in Amtrak, which will never be high speed and will never be profitable. Sorry, dreaming big on a Monday.
