Rail service not at end of track yet

The story of Amtrak seems perennially tied to financial difficulty, but it appears the passenger-train service has weathered yet another funding storm. Congress is negotiating a budget that should bring in just over $1 billion for Amtrak for the coming year.

For that, a half-million Empire Builder passengers are grateful.

The passenger count on Amtrak's Empire Builder, the popular transcontinental train with daily service between Chicago and Seattle/Portland, increased 8.9 percent during the period from October 2004 through July 2005. That's a good sign of the train's viability.

An extensive renovation of the Empire Builder's cars and upgraded services for riders should go a long way toward attracting even more passengers. During a celebratory train ride last week aimed at letting the media and local civic leaders see the new and improved train, it was evident that both Amtrak officials and the passengers were pleased with the results.

Passengers said they like new amenities such as spacious showers in the sleeper cars and roomy tables in the lounge area, complimentary champagne and wine-and-cheese tasting events. But it's the scenery and the love of train travel that hooks most travelers. It's also usually cheaper than air travel.

More than anything, passengers appreciate still having the option of traveling by train.

David Gunn came on board Amtrak three years ago as president and chief executive officer, bringing 41 years of experience in the transit industry with him. Changes made on his watch - trimming 5,000 employees, initiating long-overdue upgrades of transcontinental trains and laying down 140 track miles of new welded rail - are commendable.

Gunn says he's trying to restore fiscal responsibility to Amtrak in a broad attempt to make the rail service viable. That's a step in the right direction, although even Gunn candidly admits: "It'll never make money, but we can lose less money."

There are those who argue the passenger rail service shouldn't be subsidized by the federal government at all. We disagree, for a variety of reasons, including national security, but ultimately it's Congress that will decide whether to make or break Amtrak.

Those lawmakers, who are quick to pour money into federal highway projects and bail out ailing airlines, should think long and hard, however, before doing away with funding for Amtrak - especially in areas like Montana, where it's a long way from here to there and where hopping on Amtrak is sometimes the only option.