That is a shame to hear that about Germany. I hope things turn around now that, I'm assuming, gas has got to be really expensive out there now!
Karen > R>info > > Regarding Amtrak, it should be noted that Germany (who we all know > has a wonderful passenger rail system) is slightly smaller than the combined > states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Germany's passenger system > evolved because the populace could not afford other forms of transportation. > However, much of that has changed and it is my understanding that Germany's > rail system has seen significant reduction in passenger volume since the 80's > due to the increasing use and affordability of automobiles. In America, > freight has always been the bread and butter of the railroads as goods needed > to > be transported over great distances rather than passengers and America had an > early love affair with the automobile. Airplanes finished off the passenger > services except for highly concentrated regions such as the east and west > coast or very local areas serving daily commuting needs. Hence, the reason > why > the freight lines own and control the rails. > > R>return > > Steve Johnson > B&O Railroad Museum
