I agree with all the arguments presented in favor of moving out of Beech Grove. However, I don;t see any indication that it is imminent, notwithstanding what has been presented here.
Here is a blurb from NARP on this matter:
http://narprail.org/news/narp-blog/2378-hoosier-beechgrove
They seem to say clearly that Amtrak has indicated that Beech Grove stays put irrespective of what happens to the
Hoosier State. Frankly, I don't think Amtrak at this point really has a choice. Threatening Indiana with a status change for Beech Grove is not going to help the cause of
Hoosier State one bit given the politics of that state, or so my disgusted friends from Indiana tell me.
Now, what Amtrak can do is sweeten the pill for Indiana bit by giving them a discount from the money that they save by using the Hoosier State as a hospital trains as opposed to running a separate hospital train.
Interesting question..... if Indiana were to come around to take on the full loss of running the
Hoosier State, could they then demand that Amtrak not run any hospital stuff attached to that train? Afterall under 209 it pretty much becomes a train run for Indiana under contract by Amtrak, and hence removes the freedom from Amtrak to attache whatever they like to it, no? If they do, where does that leave Amtrak? Back to the negotiating table to figure out what mileage charge must be paid to Indiana to use the
Hoosier State as a hospital train? Seems to get pretty complicated pretty soon. I will admit I have no idea what the answer is to my questions.