But if you reduce the engine change from diesel to electric by running wire to the coast, you're still adding unnecessary complexity -- in fact, probably reducing complexity from two engine changes by well under half. Let's say BNSF electrifies from Winslow to LA. You've still got to have a bigger roster of locomotives, both diesel and electric, than you'd have for diesel-only, since you've got to cover for late trains and other irregularities, and you'd still have the question of what to do with Valley Sub trains changing engines at Barstow -- you'd have an equivalent problem in Washington State at Spokane if you electrified there. Run diesels through the electrified zone = why bother electrify?

Hybrids haven't had that great of a history. The New Haven FL9s like as not operated on diesel all the way to Penn Station and Grand Central. The more recent Amtrak hybrid GEs only operate on electricity for a short distance into NYP. Other hybrids from the 1930s only used electric power for short, low-speed operation. You can't just put a pantograph onto an ES44!