More Trains? Great … But First Things First!

For weeks now, there has been a lot of talk about new Amtrak routes: A second LA to Seattle train, New Orleans to Florida, a second route across southern Montana, restoring the Pioneer from Denver to Seattle, and several other shorter routes.

All of these ideas have merit if we are to ever have a truly national rail passenger system. But they all overlook one critical problem: Amtrak doesn’t have the rail cars to add any new service!

What’s more, there are no new rail cars on order and even if an order is placed, there will be at least a three year delay while a manufacturer gears up and work actually starts before any new cars are actually put into service.

So up steps Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm. Hey, she says, we have idle factories and laid-off workers here in Michigan who are ready to build those rail cars.

Yes! Good for you, Governor! Let’s use some of that stimulus money to start adding rolling stock to Amtrak’s fleet. It will create jobs and will be an important – no, essential – first step to expanding and improving our national passenger rail system.