by Nightjet
If I am understanding correctly, in 1970 and 1971, when Amtrak was created, an alternative that was considered was subsidizing private railroads to run their own passenger trains, and creating Amtrak was more supported by Democrats and subsidizing private railroads was more supported by Republicans.
Did private railroads favor one approach or the other? Or did they not care? How close did the US come to simply subsidizing private railroads to run their own passenger trains?
Did private railroads favor one approach or the other? Or did they not care? How close did the US come to simply subsidizing private railroads to run their own passenger trains?