Lately I've had an awful lot of experiences like those of Ding Dong. I've also had a lot of experience with converts from truck to rail, they don't all go back to truck---especially if the railroad service is good. In many cases I think the short lines have gotten a bit lazy and or tired---I've had some managers admit this to me. It's easy to store cars---they don't argue, demand service or wear out track, yet they provide cash flow. Local short lines can add switching charges and surcharges to cover additional costs or, in the case of Watco and PCC, kill off lines. Ding Dong's post should be a wake up call to all short lines---These high fuel prices provide railroads with a rare opportunity to find new customers where they might not have been before. Not all of these customers will stay, but if well cared for, many will.
When the economy turns around again, some old customers will return and if any of the new converts stay you'll be well ahead. ("They'll just go back to truck when the fuel prices drop." I find that an unbelievable statement the more I think about it. You're defeated before you start. Treat them right they might stay, besides with traffic down, what does it hurt to serve them---their money is just as good as any!!)