OTTAWA — At a time when Canada’s passenger rail system is undergoing a renaissance, Amtrak in the United States could be nearing the end of the line, according to the Globe and Mail.
The light at the end of the tunnel is growing dimmer for Amtrak as the railway threatens to cut 18 long-distance trains in October if it doesn’t receive massive government financial support.
Travellers might want to act quickly if they still want to experience history on the fabled trains such as the City of New Orleans, California Zephyr, Empire Builder, Sunset Limited, Silver Meteor and Coast Starlight.
Amtrak, formed 31 years ago, wants $1.2-billion (U.S.) next year but is being offered less than half that amount. A study has urged that the railway be sold off.
In Canada, after years of struggling for federal support for Via Rail, help has arrived with a federal commitment of $402-million for capital improvements.
Transport Minister David Collenette said the government is “fully committed to the revitalization of passenger rail” as he launched a $10-million renovation of passenger facilities last November.
Via also unveiled its new Renaissance passenger cars and locomotives to expand the fleet by one-third and is renovating stations.
Back in the U.S., one of Amtrak’s most scenic runs in jeopardy is the Southwest Chief along the route of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway — the iron link between Los Angeles and the U.S. Midwest.
A recent journey along this historic route following the Santa Fe Trail showed off history and geography with every curve in the track.
The trail was first travelled by the earliest Indians, followed by Spanish conquistadors and fur trappers.
By the time it was known as the Santa Fe Trail, caravans of pack mules, wagon teams, prairie schooners and stagecoaches were lumbering over it daily during the California Gold Rush.
As the Southwest Chief weaves through New Mexico’s spectacular Apache Canyon, travellers can relive the challenges faced by the pioneers.
Crossing eight states and 3,645 railway kilometres, travel is aboard Superliners — double-decker cars with bedrooms, a dining car and lounge car with picture windows.
After pulling out of Chicago at 3:15 p.m., the train passes through industrial cities of the Midwest, into the flatlands and wheat fields during the night, then forested mountains and red deserts, Spanish missions and Indian pueblos. Between Albuquerque and Gallup, N.M., Gerald Pinto, a Navajo guide provides commentary on the Indian Country.
There’s a full-service dining car with linen tablecloths, china and fresh flowers, and a café for snacks.
From this route, there are connections to Santa Fe, N.M., the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Las Vegas and Palm Springs, Calif.
The chief, pulling some 20 mail cars at the rear to provide additional revenue, glides into the Spanish mission-art-deco-style Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal shortly after 8 a.m. two nights after leaving Chicago.
For rail information call (800) USA-RAIL; Web: http://www.amtrak.com.