This has more to do with the R5 than anything else, but increased rail ridership in Chester County is important news for those hoping for a rejuvenated R3 line. While Amtrak had the best year in their 37-year history last month, they are still struggling to pay for crucial repairs to the Northeast Corridor tracks they share with SEPTA.

From the Inquirer:

Throughout the Philadelphia region and much of the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak is struggling to maintain old bridges, tunnels, retaining walls and other infrastructure. Chronically short of money, Amtrak has put off an estimated $5 billion in needed repairs and upgrades nationwide, and most of that is along the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington.

That could be both hazardous and expensive.

“In addition to increasing the risk of a major failure on the system, the deteriorated condition of Amtrak’s rolling stock and infrastructure may contribute to higher operating costs and reduced reliability of service,” the U.S. Government Accountability Office said in a study last year. “…The cost and extent of the needed improvements remain a significant burden to the financial viability of the existing intercity passenger rail system.”

Amtrak engineering officials say the aging infrastructure remains safe, but much of it needs to be replaced as soon as money is available.

“Do not confuse not-in-good-repair with not being safe,” chief engineer Frank Vacca said. “We are insuring rider safety all the time. The nice-to-do things get deferred, but that has no direct impact on safety.”

Operation Iraqi Freedom costs roughly $1 billion every week or so. So you would think Congress could take a second look into the checkbook to find the funds to properly fund Amtrak and the other services that share the infrastructure before a disaster occurs. Or maybe they just need a suggestion from one of their constituents? Click here to tell your representative to give rail service the money it needs to operate safely.

Update: Will Bunch over at Attytood has a go at this - and he really lets John McCain and the GOP have it. That’s not necessarily a viewpoint I totally agree with, as I see Democrats being complicit in this, too.