“By the late 1960s, America’s railroads were collapsing. Passenger trains were bleeding money, airlines were booming, and the interstate highway system was rewriting the country. Then came Amtrak.”

 We discuss:

• Decline of private railroads
• Cars + interstate highways
• Jet age competition
• Why railroads wanted out
• Creation of Amtrak in 1971

Modern angle:

• Why passenger rail still struggles today
• Comparison to Europe and Japan