Red,


There is nothing official that has come from FRA or DOT regarding the earlier posting of that report/rumor of "taking over" freight rail lines for HSR. Many of the HSR links under consideration would be at Class 6 (110 mph) and would be compatible with dual use. Some folks are proposing additional tracks at higher speeds for the exclusive use of very high speed train sets (125-225mph) like CHSRA and Desert Express. Some of these proposals are interesting in shared use segments, especially for access to urban centers, where super high speed construction costs are prohibitive.

Positive Train Control systems which should increase safety, improve operational capacity, and can allow for higher speeds in various operating scenarios, is already the law. It was part of the Amtrak reauthorization last year, and is mandated within 5 years, for freight and passenger operations, regardless of high speed issues. It should improve the compatibility and reliability of mixed operations, however. PTC systems are very likely to be included in a number of ARRA applications for high speed and intercity funding on various corridors, including those in California.

I see we have an interesting take on nature of reality, in reply to your inquiry. I'll leave it to those with a philosophy degree to debate what is real and what is not. For those who are interested in what is being said by the relevant agency, the proposed guidance is there for the reading on the FRA website.

BOB2