Making Train Travel a Viable Alternative

Re “Surge in Business Is Short-Lived; Rail Line’s Survival Much in Doubt,” Dec. 4: There’s really no secret to what can make rail service successful. Let’s open our eyes and look at all those countries with successful train systems. Systems like France’s TGV lines are very fast, safe, comfortable and popular. Unfortunately, our country has chosen half measures: too afraid of public wrath to slay our pitiful intercity rail system but too timid to commit the billions of dollars required to upgrade tracks from 19th century meandering routes to 21st century bullet-straight lines. And lest we forget that rail is not the only subsidized transportation mode in the U.S., how about the federal bailout of the airlines?

In California we are finally on the verge of seeing some results of state investment in rail infrastructure. The state is partnering with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway to build a new third track between Los Angeles and Fullerton to help speed Metrolink and Amtrak trains toward San Diego. Other similar projects are funded throughout the state. If we keep our eyes firmly fixed on doing those things to make rail competitive, our citizens will use it.

Carl Schiermeyer

Long Beach

Your Amtrak article showed a picture of a woman with two pillows boarding a bus so that she could get to the start of the train ride in Bakersfield. The caption stated that the bus ride was necessary because the Tehachapi Mountains were too steep for passenger trains. This is hooey. As a kid in the 1950s, I rode the San Joaquin Daylight many times over the Tehachapi loop in matched orange and silver cars pulled by a magnificent steam locomotive. So this sounds like a cop-out on Amtrak’s part to me. If the locomotives of today are too wimpy to do the job, they should bring the steamers back.

Ren Colantoni

Los Angeles

I’m sorry to see the U.S. preparing to derail Amtrak. Yes, it is costly and often delayed, but once gone, passenger trains may only be in the coffee-table books of rail buffs.

It would be wonderful to see Amtrak replaced by something that truly serves the public’s needs. Who hasn’t heard of someone driving to business meetings in Salt Lake City or San Francisco to avoid the airport delays? And what about all that bumper-to-bumper traffic from Las Vegas to L.A. every Sunday afternoon? Wouldn’t a fast, comfortable and on-time train be a better solution?

David R. Ford

San Gabriel