Not only that but freight pays most of it's way in a politically run railroad. Passenger service is 95% subsidised. In otherwords from a business standpoint, passenger service is a loser. Or howcome the major for profit railroads were eager to get out of the passenger buisness? I just know I will bring down the scorn of all passenger railroad fans but I look at the economics, not the emotion. If you disagree, look at what it costs to run Amtrak and the local subsidised passenger service at tax payers expense, most of which don't use the service as it doesn't serve the area in which they are located. So I say let freight roll and try to make some profit in the future. It sure isn't going to happen with passenger service. If you charge what it costs to operate a passenger railroad, nobody could afford to ride it. Lock and load. Fire at will.
Bill