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Amtrak, America's Railroad
- Transportation's Orphan and Its Struggle for Survival (Railroads Past and Present)
- Narrated by: Gary L Willprecht
- Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins
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Publisher's Summary
In 1971, in an effort to rescue essential freight railroads, the US government founded Amtrak. In the post-World War II era, aviation and highway development had become the focus of government policy in America. As rail passenger services declined in number and in quality, they were simultaneously driving many railroads toward bankruptcy. Amtrak was intended to be the solution.
In Amtrak, America's Railroad: Transportation's Orphan and Its Struggle for Survival, Geoffrey H. Doughty, Jeffrey T. Darbee, and Eugene E. Harmon explore the fascinating history of this popular institution and tell a tale of a company hindered by its flawed origin and uneven quality of leadership, subjected to political gamesmanship and favoritism, and mired in a perpetual philosophical debate about whether it is a business or a public service. Featuring interviews with former Amtrak presidents, the authors examine the current problems and issues facing Amtrak and their proposed solutions.
Created in the absence of a comprehensive national transportation policy, Amtrak manages to survive despite inherent flaws due to the public's persistent loyalty.
The book is published by Indiana University Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.
What the critics say
"A fascinating read for anybody who's even remotely interested in Amtrak and its trains. (Railfan & Railroad Magazine)
"For those who want to get into the nuts and bolts of Amtrak's creation and ongoing problems and solutions, I know of no better source than Amtrak America's Railroad. (Classic Trains)
"A thorough and accurate account tracing the saga of Amtrak's ups and downs since its inception. (Rob Krebs, Retired Chairman & CEO, BNSF)