From tragedy, let's make a better train system

Sunday, May 17, 2015

This has been a very tough week for everyone who cares about trains, we the passengers, and the organizations that keep them running. The amount of verbal garbage that has been spouted by people with no knowledge has been astounding. (Check out what's being said about the engineer's personal life if you dare, but I warn you, you'll need a strong stomach.)

The administrators of public forums like Amtrak Unlimited, and the many folks who manage the train-related Facebook groups, have been glued to our computers almost nonstop since Tuesday night, trying to keep up. The AU moderators, in particular, deserve BIG kudos for what they have been doing, volunteering their time and energy because they care about trains, and the people who ride and run them.

THANK YOU!

Now, let's make sure that the American passenger rail system becomes the best and safest that it can be. Take time out from writing here, and tell your elected officials that you support trains! NARP has made it easy to contact Congress, but also tell your state and local leaders.

If this tragedy leads to an improved and safer system, then the passengers who died will not have done so in vain.

--CH