So how is this going affect a low cost, low income, shortline if it's transporting a haz-mat that falls under this new rule? Will it drive them all out of business? Most of shortlines only stay in business, because they can operate cheaper, much older locomotives and technology on lesser maintained track.

Even when it comes to commuter lines, the Portland & Western shortline will be operating on the same track as a commuter train, so do they have to implement this technology as well.

I'm all for technology and increases in safety, but not the point of driving every single shortline out of business.

Also, if this standard is implemented on the mainlines, the next step will be a move to reduce train crews to one person per train, since they will say the trains already have technology to prevent accidents if the engineer has a heart attack or misses the signals. I'm sure it won't be long, before train crews aren't needed at all, especially if the mainlines are going to invest so heavily in a new system like this. They sure as hell are going to try to recoup some of that money in labor savings. They must see some kind of advantage to this. They're aren't jumping on board so fast just for the heck of it.