Good points,TR7.
Regardless of the money spent on the devils lake section, BNSF does have a contract with Amtrak to provide passage of the Amtrak Builder. One could say, Amtrak is a relatively small customer, and can be ignored. But small customers can raise just as much a stink as big ones, especially if they have the public on their side.
To put it in Amtrak terms , the little old lady going from Chicago to Galesburg, can garner as much or more public sympathy, as the high roller travelling first class from NYP to LAX. I woldnt upset her.
Nothing worst in business, when your trying to sell a multi K deal, to have your worst customer come in loudly complaing about the $ 2 part they brought.
Finally, I would note the USA is probably the only democratic country in the world where a big corporation could get away with something like this. If it were to happen here, I would gaurantee the CEO would be invited to have a cup of tea with the prime minister, and would be well aware of what the conversation would be about.
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The only train trips I regret are the ones I didn't take.