While other nations around the world have developed modern high speed rail networks, the U.S. has struggled to maintain what All Aboard Erie calls an antiquated passenger rail system.

On Wednesday, the rail advocate group held a news conference to share their vision for a national rail transportation network.

They said we need a federal passenger rail program that functions like the federal aviation and highway programs.

They say it needs a permanent funding mechanism, dedicated publicly-owned tracks for passengers not shared with freight trains and a federal passenger rail authority to oversee it all. It won't come cheap.

"Well now we've got to the point where we're a bigger country, highways are overwhelmed and the highways are just as bad so that means we need a third leg on the stool here and we have to be prepared to go out and support it or we'll have one train in the middle of the night just like we have for years," said Bill Hutchinson, Lakeshore Rail Alliance & All Aboard Erie. 

All Aboard Erie says their ideas would eliminate Amtrak as we know it. They say a serious study should be commissioned to convince congress of the need.