> It reaches parts of the country not easily accessed by an Airport. If you need to visit someone in middle of nowhere USA, Amtrak might just be a better option.

I’m from a very small town part in the Midwest that was formerly a Rock Island town, a rail enthusiast (probably not hardcore enough for fan) - but this argument has always been specious. The middle of nowhere towns that the mainlines happen to hit are generally not terribly interesting at all. Ottumwa IA?? Meanwhile there is nothing to Iowa City. It’s a complete farcical misallocation of resources at this point. And because of subsidies the air service to many smaller cities and larger towns are better than rail.

Yes the 9 people average per day that need to go to connellsville, woo wee. Meanwhile fuck everyone in the Lehigh valley I guess.

Sorry but the reachibility argument for rail in the US is plainly stupid as things stand today.