Midnight train from GA: A view of America from the tracks as airports struggle

Old-School Web and Netscape ISP Site

• Several comments fixate on the AP story being syndicated via an old Netscape/AOL domain.
• People praise its simple, document-style layout versus modern, app-like news sites.
• Some note missing photos compared to the main AP site, but still prefer the retro usability.

Cost and Time: Train vs Plane vs Car (ATL–Washington example)

• One commenter finds Delta round trip ATL–WAS near $800, making the ~$300 Amtrak coach seem competitive.
• Others re-check and find far cheaper flights ($74–$300), making trains slower and often more expensive.
• Trains can be cheaper for some family trips or near-peak dates; for others, roomettes are dramatically more expensive than flights.
• Comparisons of driving include assumptions about U.S. fuel economy (20 mpg vs 30+ mpg); some say 20 mpg is realistic for large U.S. vehicles, others call it too pessimistic.

Amtrak Experience: Comfort vs Reliability

• Many praise long-distance U.S. trains as a pleasant, even “romantic,” way to travel: more space, scenery, social encounters, city-center access, less stress than driving or flying.
• Others report uncomfortable overnight coach, bad sleep, smelly cars, and mediocre to just-OK food.
• Wi-Fi is described as cellular-based and often unreliable; some mention possible future Starlink.
• Outside the Northeast Corridor, multiple riders report severe delays (hours to over a day), cancellations, or bus substitutions; certainty is viewed as low.

Infrastructure, Funding, and Freight Priority

• Trains are seen as underfunded compared to highways and aviation, with Amtrak constrained by mixed missions and politics.
• Amtrak largely runs on freight-owned tracks; by law it has priority, but commenters say freight practically comes first, causing delays.
• Some advocate nationalizing rail or separating freight/passenger infrastructure; others argue the U.S. freight system is world-class and shouldn’t be disrupted.

High-Speed Rail and Global Comparisons

• Comparisons to China, Japan, and Europe highlight U.S. trains’ low speeds (650 miles in 14 hours) and infrequent service.
• Some see nationwide high-speed rail (e.g., NYC–LA) as politically and economically unrealistic; others argue selective corridors (e.g., DC–NYC–Boston, California routes) are viable and should be prioritized.
• Several note that legal, political, and land-use barriers in the U.S. make Chinese-style rapid build-out unlikely, contributing to a sense that the U.S. is “falling behind.”