OK, I need to get on my policy wonk soapbox. Privatizing the nation's railroads would be a magnificent development and in my estimation would lead to a boom in rail travel. AMTrak is a horrible waste of resources (losing 500 million dollars annually) and is in one accident after another. It is expensive and slow. We can do better.
Incidentally, Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) is one of the chief defenders of the rail line. Why, one asks? There is no line I am aware of in his district, or a rail connection from Minneapolis to Duluth (please correct me if I am wrong). Let's get on the horn with legislators and help end the rail behemoth known as AmTrak.