#1. Carfloats are almost completely eliminated in US. Long distance runs to Alaska, Mexico about the only solid ones. Doubtful a new one for limited volume distressed segment would fly (oops, float) vs. short truck trips.

#2. Understand branch lines have been at complete capital disadvantage since about 1920 (pnumatic tires and paved public roads). Now that branch lines need capital it is obvious the SD-9s pulling 50 cars were just an enjoyable sight wearing down the legacy capital stock.

#3. Rural manufacturing is on the way out in this country. Rural counties can run (save our rails!) but not hide. Oregon mills more wood than ever (recently, anyhow) but never has more of that been done right in the Willamette Valley. Blame the UP or BNSF but it has as much do with needing to find educated people to run the automated mills as it does transport options. Credit the big capitalist sawmill outfits for trying as they have to "stay out there" as long as they can. Relative location of mills, processing volumes show the trend though. (Make sure the mills will not ultimately shift to just east of the mountains anyway before spending the money.)

#4. Nobody accepts 3% grades anymore - borrow an AC for the hill already!

#5. Bottom of a V-canyon is a dumb place for a RR in 2008.

#6. "We should get the public to fund low-volume railroads in the sticks, and re-regulate the railroads while we are at it." Good luck, let us know how those turn out!

#7. No majic undiscovered solution - it lies in supporting the "real" shortliners who care to keep the rails "out there". IT SHOULD BE CLEAR WHO THE WANNABE CLASS 1's ARE, IN COMPARISON - they don't need "support". The shortliners will continue to work for shippers and around the UP, BNSF, NIMBYS, and State DOT bureaucrats to keep it going - and here and there better. And some lines just won't make it!

Paul D.