I did read the article, and despite seeing something in the NYT in favor of Amtrak service outside the NE Corridor, I must agree.

A small point often overlooked though, is that "If the train fits (in the siding) it sits." A mile long freight will not fit in a half mile siding. Do the math. A ten car passenger train will. Why sidings are so short is another issue.

A partnership of public and private interests might be the solution to sidings which are either too short or in the wrong places, which cause the delays this prof describes.

If we weren't spending a billion a day for defense...