We've traveled by rail long distance nearly exclusively for the last 20 years and just about every train we have been on was very crowded or completely sold out. We've been cross country as far as Seattle, as far North as Chicago and as far South as New Orleans. If you don't book months out its difficult to get a seat or sleeper. Amtrak long distance trains generate high revenue. The losses that you read about are only caused by Amtrak's faulty accounting system that amortizes all expenses on the system per train including the cost of stations and track maintenance on the NE Corridor, even though the train is nowhere near it. The Long distance trains under a good accounting system would actually show a profit. The long distance trains also account for much of the economic wealth of the small towns along the routes that they serve, bringing in tourist dollars and serving the communities that have little or no other public transportation. The Amtrak employee payroll is also a false indicator. Being government owned the IRS takes back 20-25% of their salaries in incomes taxes.
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