I believe the railroads have been planning this endgame showdown from the start. And I think they've been dragging their feet with PTC while being able to show enough progress to defend against accusations that they have done nothing. Therefore I think the government should punish the railroads for playing this last minute game and not taking PTC seriously. So I'd like to see a combination of meaningful fines and an extension with a realistic target date. And let the railroads know that the next extension would come with a price. This is all assuming that PTC is workable and worthwhile of which I have no opinion being a mere operator of trains.

As far as requiring railroads to haul TIH and passengers in violation of the law the precedent is that railroads operate in violation of laws every day. When the FRA visits a property they always find defects in violation of the law and assess fines but the railroad is not shut down. So how would railroads be relieved of hauling TIH in this case? They could, and should, continue with the status quo and pay any fines assessed.

Just one man's opinion.