This is exactly what I mean, where the hyperbole, has nothing to do with facts. But, does that really matter when most political discourse these days is mostly this kind of partisan fairy tale?

Hell, it was Carter who signed the Staggers Act and saved America's floundering rail system, exemplified by the costly and excess investments like the Milwaukee, the Rock Island, and Penn Central debacles that lead up to deregulation.

Long term investment requires more of a risk guarantee than short term investments. If we really wanted private infrastructure firms to invest more, in track capacity or carrying capacity then lowering long term capital gains from holding those shares, and/or higher investment tax credits work pretty well.

States are investing and using Federal funds for upgrades to many of these rural lines, but the funding levels are low compared to the needs and condition of many of these lines.

The comments about the loss and abandonment of many secondary mains are also on target. And, some carriers in the Midwest are making significant investments in upgrading some of those remaining secondary routes, for oil, sand, and grain.

Yes, it would be nice to see anhydrous ammonia shipments back on these rural lines, too. But this is all part of that same problem, of limited mainline corridor capacity in many areas affecting the major carriers, which has hurt other carload shipments, and has killed Amtrak on time performance.

Yes, we may have allowed too many region dominating RR mergers, where less rail competition is available to meet local demands like these, and this has allowed these quasi monopolistic players to play customers off, and this has almost certainly resulted in some cases of very poor and/or uncompetitive services. But, in the end, the RR's aren't charities, and costs must at least equal revenues, and most folks actually want a return on their investment, as well.

It's about business, and it's not bean bag. So sometimes, some regulation may be necessary to prevent predatory and/or discriminatory pricing, where inadequate competition exists.

The agricultural sector requires significant peak capacity, though. And, in the long run, it needs to look to creating a large enough reserve pool of dedicated ag commodity equipment, possibly partially funded with things like tax incentives, but largely out of their own pockets. That is if they really want a reliable source of cars for that uncertain peak need. And the whole peak and loose car sector also needs to assess how better to manage that fleet to expedite turnaround and car utilization.

But, Carter wrecking the RR's? WTF? Where do these people get this stuff from?