Essay: The Last Train To Grand Canyon: How Amtrak Fails The National Parks--And America

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

3. I recently read the book "Waiting on a Train"

by James McCommons, who spent an entire year riding Amtrak. In that time I believe he rode every single segment then in service.

It's beyond criminal that we don't have better and more frequent service everywhere in this country. Other than along the east coast and the west coast there is no major north-south service in this country. Which means, for instance, if I want to take the train from New Mexico to Denver, I'd have to travel via Chicago or Los Angeles.

Several years ago I good Amtrak from New Mexico to Portland, OR, and it was one of the best trips ever. I arrived relaxed and not tired at all, unlike the times I've flown between those two places. I did book a sleeper car, which was well worth it.

I would love to take the train more often, to more places.

Oh, and one of the reasons that a section of the Southwest Chief might become bus travel is that the governor of this state doesn't want to help fund the repair and maintenance needed to maintain the tracks.

Joe Biden, who took the train daily when he was Senator, ought to be out there stumping on behalf of train traffic everywhere.