Wouldn't the "Interstate Commerce" rules OVERRULE any LOCAL regulations about how much capacity railroads can build?? I certainly hope so for the national interest of safe, efficient and reliable transport. If not then the nation truly has a major, major problem with future transportation choices.

If the locals can legally tie a noose around the railroads neck why do they not try the same thing with highways (freeways)? Heaven knows the very low efficiency freeway system will need much quicker expansion than the railroads. Can anyone shed any more light on this issue for us??
Thank you in advance!
---- Daniel


Chris Wrote:
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>
> For the country's sake, I hope AZ residents don't
> get what they want (the way I read it, they want
> to be able to tell UP that they can't double-track
> the Sunset Route). I guess they don't understand
> how essential rail is to the U.S.'s economy and
> they don't care if prices go up because more
> shipments have to go by truck if the rail lines
> become even more overcrowded. Apparently,
> controlling inflation isn't worth seeing a few
> more ugly, noisy trains coming through their back
> yards. At least Ron McLaughlin's letter to the
> editor told them to get out of town if they don't
> like trains.
>
> Oh, and it would be nice to hope that the Sunset
> Limited might occasionally run on time with two
> (plus) main tracks available to UP
> dispatchers--but that might be hoping too much...