Far cheaper that reviving the Milwaukee would be to continue to add sidings and double track Spokane--Pasco and CTC and add track to Pasco--Auburn. I know double tracking Pasco--Vancouver is prohibited but I'm sure there are places to extend sidings or even add one or more. The same could be said for the ex-GN Spokane--Everett line. But adding another 2.2 percent ruing grade railroad across Washington would not help with the heavy and numerous trains running on the ex-SP&S. I'd say focus on the low grade line (Spokane--Pasco--Vancouver--Seattle) by adding capacity and only then worry about adding capacity to the mountain climbing lines if needed for empties and intermodal. When all that is done and there are still trains delayed by capacity you can reclaim the Milwaukee grade. Of course coal in Washington is decreasing so my guess is that the Milwaukee will never be needed until Washington is overflowing with people and it becomes a commuter line. (All those Floridians and coastal people will have to go somewhere when the oceans rise.)