There’s a very clear pecking order among all the elected officials in Washington. Basically, it’s a question of seniority and the bottom rung of that particular ladder is occupied by...

It’s a little before noon on Wednesday as I write this, and a top Amtrak executive is appearing right about now before a Congressional committee. That’s not so unusual. Amtrak...

As many of you know, I serve on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Railroad Passengers—now known simply as the Rail Passengers Association. RPA is a non-profit...

I don’t get into political discussions very often, although these days it’s almost impossible to avoid them. Still, it’s a fascinating subject, especially because we’re witnessing a phenomenon that I...

As mentioned here, and has been reported in the national media, the Trump budget as submitted to Congress was pretty much drafted by the very conservative libertarian “think tank”, the...

Some 25 years ago, when I rediscovered long-distance train travel, I had a lot of catching up to do. For three decades I had been living in Hawaii with no...

Three days of NARP meetings here in Washington have concluded and the main topic of conversation today was about the almost universal reaction to yesterday’s Day on the Hill when...

The machinations in Congress are a mystery to most people, me included. But here’s a short version of what’s happening in an area of interest and concern to all of...

 I have always enjoyed Amtrak’s Coast Starlight, which runs daily in both directions between Los Angeles and Seattle. It’s a very scenic ride, but the main reason is the Pacific...

I frequently get emails from many of you and I enjoy and appreciate your comments. The other day I heard from a regular here and in addition to a brief...