Now that would certainly be a big "If". 55 years ago?
Not much fun there either.
Russ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gerald & Virginia Edgar" <vje68@hotmail.com>
To: <cbq@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, 10 February, 2010 15:36
Subject: [CBQ] What Amtrak could learn from CB&Q
>
> I was just looking thru a "55 issue of The Zephyr, Burlington's
> publication for ticket agents, etc.
>
> If you travel via Amtrak (we make at least 2 big trips a yr) you know they
> have made a lot of improvements since "71. However from experience I see
> two persistent problems that the Q addressed a long time ago. One, car
> rentals. Would you believe none of the car rental companies are open at
> Washington Union Station on Sundays (and most Amtrak stops do NOT have
> rental cars available at all). Compare that to the Burlington 55 yrs ago.
> Hertz alone had cars available at 47 stations! In order: Illinois -11;
> Iowa - 8; Wyoming -7; Texas - 6; Colorado, Nebrasks & Minnesota - 3 ea;
> Missouri & Wisconsin - 2 ea and Kentucky & Montana -1 ea. Towns the size
> of Herrin, IL, Powell, WY & Winona, MN had car rentals available! Note
> today if you go on-line to any car rental firm they ask which city OR air
> terminal you will be using; NEVER which Amtrak station! Amtrak should
> enter into an exclusive agreement with ONE car rental in return for 365
> days service at a LOT of stations.
>
> Second - lack of marketing vs. Airlines. Most airlines charge for luggage
> now - Amtrak allows 5 (FIVE!) checked bags per ticket - how many Americans
> know that? How about comparative fares?
>
> In "55 the Q promoted the fact that their fares from Chi to Twin Cities
> and to Seatlle were roughly 1/2 of the airlines. Examples (R/T): Chi-Twin
> Cities via Q was $18.35 coach & $33.75 Sleeper; airlines were $37 &
> $44.20. From Chi to Seattle it was $82 & $161 via Q; $178 & $218 via air.
> The Q also pointed out there were even better savings via the Family Plan
> (whick Amtrak has with the 'Family bedroom' on all Superliner sleepers)
>
> One area Amtrak has gotten on track with (no pun intended) is their own
> credit card. (which we use as you score points for free trips). A few
> progressive RR's started up the idea of a rail travel credit card in 1947!
> (Burlington being a charter mbr of course) - it was called "Rail Travel
> Credit Cards" and came in two versions: corporate & personal.
>
> And of course for high-speed rail: the Twin Zephyrs, on jointed rail,
> regularly went over a 100 mph from E. Dbq to LaCrosse 55 yrs ago with a
> full diner & all those domes. (& from E units to obsv - all late 40's
> technoloogyu) This with the usual mix of freights sharing the rails -
> compare that to Amtrak's best; the exclusive NE corridor with welded rail
> & state-of-the art power but only a snack car. Guess we were all born
> too late! Gerald
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
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