Amtrak is predicting its busiest weekend ever this Thanksgiving holiday. But here in the Intermountain West, long distance rail service has declined dramatically over the past few decades.

Rail advocates are hoping to turn that around.

News Specialist John Daley has the story.

Like many states, auto traffic rules the day in Utah. It's easy to forget that it wasn't always this way.

The Beehive State, of course, is the proud home of the very spot where transcontinental rail became a reality.

And, Salt Lake once boasted one of the nation's best trolley systems, with rail service penetrating all parts of the city.

Thanks to TRAX, that kind of light rail is making a comeback.

But today, long distance intercity rail is an almost laughable shadow of its former self.

Since September 11th, Amtrak ridership is up 15% nationwide. But Salt Lake's service in recent years has been whittled down to one train each way every day.

Still--on the day before Thanksgiving it's packed here.

This young traveler says he likes trains. "-

Young Boy: "BECAUSE THEY'RE FAST!"

Perhaps. But in Utah Amtrak service is not exactly convenient. Travelers need to arrive in the middle of the night to catch a train.

DOUG MORTON/AMTRAK TRAVELER: "I THINK IT COULD USE SOME FUNDING. IT'S A GREAT WAY TO TRAVEL AND I THINK WE NEED MORE OF THEM AND HAVE THEM CONNECT TO THE INTERCITY TRANSPORTATION. IT WOULD MAKE IT REALLY NICE."

Laurice Williams/Amtrak Traveler: "I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD INVEST MORE MONEY PERIOD, SO THAT PEOPLE CAN TRAVEL. NOTHING TO DO WITH SEPTEMBER 11TH. JUST SO PEOPLE CAN HAVE BETTER SERVICE AS FAR AS TRAVELING, PERIOD."

With the nation's air travel system struggling to return to normal after September 11th, advocates say improved rail service is needed now more than ever.

Roger Borgenicht/Future Moves Coalition: "I THINK MAINLY IT'S ABOUT CHOICE. MORE CHOICES, MORE FREEDOM TO GET AROUND IN A CONVENIENT AND EFFICIENT WAY."

Amtrak's Northeast corridor already has high-speed rail.

Ten other routes have been designated as high speed rail corridors. Noticeably absent--any corridor in the intermountain West. However, a top Salt Lake official says the city wants to begin new discussions with Amtrak- along with state and local officials.

The goal--to explore improved regular rail service around the region .... to places like St. George, Wendover and Pocatello.

DJ Baxter/Senior Aide to Mayor: "WE THINK THERE'S A HUGE MARKET FOR IT HERE. MANY MANY PEOPLE WOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT AND IT WOULD BE A WONDERFUL AMENITY TO THE PEOPLE OF SALT LAKE AND UTAH IN GENERAL."

It would be a rail resurrection. And perhaps it's not such a crazy dream. After all--we've been down this track before.

John Daley, Eyewitness News, Salt Lake City.

Increasingly, states are stepping up with funding to improve rail service. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, 34 states are participating in the development of high--speed rail corridors.

Collectively, they've invested more than one billion dollars to improve local rail lines for high-speed rail.

Nov. 22, 2001--