Amtrak keeps talking about wanting to run over this line again. If it gets torn up this idea will be lost. They shouldn't wait too long.
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Ellis Simon- This line will more than likely never be run by Amtrak again, the idea of them returning service is a lost cause, it has no funding. There are more serious talks of bringing service to Moblie, AL. This line won't be ripped up anytime soon I can assure you of that, it is much more likely that G&W will purchase this trackage, that is the current word on the street.
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Why do you believe that, Ben?
I understand the frustration with Amtrak, but have they said they are no longer interested in restoring service? Are there other obstacles such as CSX or politicians?
As for G&W, Amtrak's Vermonter uses one of their railroads, and helped to upgrade the line, supported by federal funds.
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The biggest problem is the almost 300 miles across the panhandle that is with dark territory or old CTC, the scheduled wouldn't be good, ridership would not do well unless it was a daylight train at every stop along the coast. The line is just not set up for a very efficient passenger service, it wouldn't really pull the numbers they are looking for, stops like Chipley, would be pointless and maybe see a person on or off the train every few days, if not weeks... CSX has turned their back to the project over the past year and there is no state funding at all. I think Amtrak is more concerned about keeping what they have, with the current budget cuts they are in no position to open another service. Another thing that I had read is that Amtrak is opposed to operating on non-PTC track after the accident in NC a few weeks back.
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